Fate's Call

by C. A. Szarek

  Jarek danced in and out of her thoughts.

  How could she get to him?

  Erron had been a fool to think it was even possible, even though she knew where his tanning shop was. Besides, she was stuck following her father’s order.

  People came and went, shouted, laughed, compared purchases and bargained with crafters selling their wares. Children played, only to be admonished to move out of the road.

  A dark head moving through the crowds with some speed caught her eye.

  Her heart thundered.

  Jarek.

  How she could tell at that distance was a mystery, but it was him. There was no doubt.

  He was coming toward her.

  Toward the Old Spirits Inn and Tavern. But…how had he known where she was? How had he known she was even in Dalunas Main?

  Erron rushed to her feet at the moment he looked up. Their gazes collided and he froze under her window.

  “I’m coming up.” Jarek’s voice was thick.

  She nodded, her body flushing with warmth. Anticipation. Heat warred with trepidation, tearing at her. Erron…wanted him to come to her, but…her father could return at any moment.

  No matter how innocent, even a conversation would fuel Norden’s wrath.

  Her legs took her to the door. Her hand reached, opened it.

  Jarek’s booted feet were loud as they pounded up the stairwell.

  Then she was enveloped. His scent, a mixture of spiced soap, leather, and the spring day outside tickled her nose. Her cheek touched his chest as he tugged her closer. His tunic was rough linen, made for the work he did, but it didn’t bother her.

  She heard the door close, but was only aware of him. His arms around her, pulling her ever closer. Erron got lost in the feel of him, the scent of him. She wanted to burrow closer.

  Warm. Safe.

  Jarek set her away from him, his dark eyes wide as they met hers. “I’m…sorry. I don’t know why I did that.” His hands cupped her shoulders, but then he let his arms fall away.

  It left her cold.

  Her mind scrambled for words. The embrace was over much too soon. It left Erron…wanting. What was wrong with her? This is crazy. And dangerous. “I…”

  “Actually…I’m not sorry. I had to…touch you,” he plowed on, as if she’d not made an attempt to speak. “I can’t explain why.”

  Embarrassment crept up Erron’s neck, scorched her face on the way to her ears. She stared. “How…?

  He took a step forward. She didn’t move away.

  His cheeks were flushed with color across his high cheekbones and straight nose from his run, his too-long hair windblown, and the heat of his body still warmed her, even though they were no longer touching. Jarek gripped her chin and studied her until she burned all over.

  She averted her eyes.

  “Erron.”

  Her name on his tongue brought her gaze back, made her whole form burn even hotter. It sounded…perfect. The fact that he’d remembered her name wasn’t a surprise.

  Why?

  “Jarek,” she whispered. He didn’t look any more shocked that she’d recalled his either.

  His eyes slipped closed, but only for a moment. Then he refocused on her, like she was the only thing in the world that mattered. “I had to see you.”

  Reality was fading away, but Erron had to grasp it. This wasn’t safe. “How did you even find me?” She needed to move away from him. He had to stop touching her. She couldn’t think. But she just stared up into his dark eyes.

  Would he try to kiss her?

  Stop. What are you even thinking? That would be a disaster.

  “I was at market. I saw your…father.” The way he said the last word made her cringe.

  Jarek couldn’t know, could he?

  “Did you speak to him?”

  “No.” He shook his head. His hair flopped over his forehead and she wanted to reach up to shove it back, way from his gorgeous eyes.

  Her breath exited on a whoosh. At least Norden didn’t get the chance to harm him.

  “I needed to see you. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that day,” Jarek said.

  “I…I…I’ve thought about you, too.” The admission made her heart pound.

  He wore a smile that made her stomach flip. Jarek guided her to the bed, and they sat as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

  Erron reached for his hand and he entwined their fingers, as if they’d held each other dozens of times.

  They talked for what seemed hours.

  Jarek kept glancing out the window. “He’ll be back soon.”

  “I will only be in town until tomorrow,” Erron murmured, her chest constricting. Breathing hurt and her heart sped up. She had to swallow and blink back tears. She didn’t want him to notice her emotion, because he’d likely comment on it.

  He squeezed her hand. “What is…this…connection?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You feel it.” It wasn’t a question. Erron nodded. “I don’t want to leave you,” he whispered.

  “I…don’t…want you to go. But…” She shook her head. She wanted to reach out, wrap herself around him.

  What’s happening to me?

  There was a connection, like Jarek had said. One that scared and excited her. But it broke her heart, too, because Erron wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.

  Her father owned her, and she could never have freedom.

  Never have her tanner.

  She sucked back a whimper and fought the urge to double over and hug her middle.

  “I know. He’s probably already on his way back.” His voice was thick, but it tugged her back to him. Jarek was still here, sitting next to her.

  How could she say goodbye?

  His handsome face was drawn tight, but he wore a small smile. He caressed her cheek. “We’ll see each other again,” he whispered.

  No we won’t. Erron nodded, a lump closing off her throat. She’d never be that lucky. She averted her gaze, but couldn’t bear not seeing his dark eyes and had to look back at him. “Go. Please,” she croaked. Her hand lingered in his, but for only a moment longer.

  He pressed a kiss into her knuckles, and his smile lost a touch of its sadness. Determination settled in those brown eyes and he pulled her to her feet and into another embrace.

  Erron wrapped her arms around him and crushed her eyes shut, plastering her face to his chest. He was so much taller than her, but the size of his body didn’t scare her, it made her feel protected. She sank into the heat around her, praying he’d never let her go.

  Too soon, Jarek released her and she rubbed her arm, missing the warmth of his touch. She watched him retreat and agony spread from her heart down her limbs, cooling her body until she shivered. Loss was a living, writhing thing around her, and she didn’t stop to question it.

  None of this made sense.

  With one hand on the doorknob, Jarek looked over his shoulder. “Erron.” His eyes bored into hers. “I will come for you.”

  Then he was gone, so he didn’t hear her whisper, “I believe you.” Tremors shot down her spine as her mind and body warred.

  Was his vow a good or bad thing?

  ****

  Jarek didn’t want to leave her. He stared up at the open window—her window—and waited a moment. But she didn’t come over to look down on him.

  His chest constricted. Leaving her felt…wrong. He wanted to take her with him.

  Whoa…that was crazy.

  How could he feel so much for a girl he’d seen literally two times?

  He shook his head and forced himself away from the place, or he’d run back up that stairwell, break down the door, and steal her away.

  Would she protest?

  She’d said she’d been thinking of him, too. Jarek’s heart stuttered. He…wanted her. Not just physically.

  “I have gone crazy,” he whispered.

  Though he’d hurried to get to her, his step was slow on his retreat. Eve
ry lift of his boots was an effort, his instincts screaming that he was going the wrong way.

  He needed to stay with Erron. He wanted to hold her, kiss her. Why the hell hadn’t he kissed her goodbye? She probably wouldn’t have let him, anyway. Hugging her twice hadn’t been enough. She’d finally wrapped her arms around him the second time.

  Erron had been crying, too. It wrenched his heart for reasons he couldn’t name. Why had she been so sad?

  Jarek couldn’t let her go, and he wanted to make sure she never cried again.

  She’d told him where she lived. He hadn’t decided what to do with that information, had he? He’d promised to go to her. Could he?

  He kept an eye out for her father, but didn’t see or pass him as he made his way home. Damn, Jarek could have had more time with her.

  By the time he reached the tanning shop’s storefront, his heart was in his stomach, his shoulders slumped. Never in his life was the sense he’d made a mistake so strong.

  Jarek should have stayed with Erron.

  His father’s voice caught his attention, and he looked up from his musings. What he saw made him trip into the doorjamb. His caught himself on the wall just inside the shop.

  Anais was in his father’s arms. The older couple was beaming at each other.

  The smile faded from Kirgan’s face, replaced with concern. “Son, are you all right?”

  Anais slipped from his father’s arms and rushed to him. “My lad?”

  Jarek met her pale blue eyes and managed a smile. “I’m fine, Anais, really.” He dropped a kiss on her cheek. “You two just surprised me, is all.”

  His father chuckled and pulled the widow back to his side, slipping his arm around her waist, as if he couldn’t bear not touching her.

  He knew the feeling well. Erron.

  “We’ve some news,” his father said.

  “Oh?” he asked.

  Anais’ cheeks were crimson and Jarek couldn’t hold back his grin.

  Kirgan looked at her, a tender smile on his face, holding her even tighter to his side. His father finally looked back at him. “We’re to be wed.”

  “Well, it’s about damn time!” Jarek exclaimed, sweeping his new mother into a hug.

  Over her shoulder, his father struggled to hold onto a mock-glare but lost the battle. His grin took turns off his face.

  Jarek winked.

  Happiness for them warred with envy. He pulled away from Anais and she returned to his father, slipping an arm around his waist and kissing his weathered cheek.

  He stared at them, unable to look away from the obviously love as they gazed at each other.

  “Lad, is something wrong?” Her voice mirrored the worry that had again settled in his father’s expression.

  Jarek took a breath. “No. Nothing’s wrong.”

  They exchanged a glance that said neither believed him.

  “Listen, I have some news, too.”

  His father arched a bushy dark brow that told him to continue.

  “Let’s sit.” Jarek gestured to the largest workbench in the shop.

  As he talked, he formulated his plan.

  Chapter Six

  Erron forced herself to remain seated on the bed as Jarek’s footsteps faded down the stairs. He had to go. Her vision blurred and she wiped the tears away. The last thing she needed was her father to notice she’d been crying and demand to know why.

  She didn’t trust herself to go to the window and watch her tanner walking away. She wouldn’t be able to keep from calling out to him, begging him not to leave.

  Or worse—go after him. Run away with him.

  What the hell was she thinking? Norden would kill her.

  Why had she told Jarek where they lived?

  I will come for you.

  His words bounced around in her head. Erron believed him. But what good would it do? Could he want her? Her heart pounded.

  When Jarek found out the truth, he wouldn’t anymore. No one would.

  As much as that hurt, Erron couldn’t blame him. She was damaged, impure. A shudder wracked her body and tears cascaded.

  She’d always been stuck with her father; that wasn’t new. But now she knew what it was to crave something else. And feel just as hopeless about getting it.

  “Erron, get it together,” she whispered, swiping her hands down her cheeks, then rubbing her eyes. Her father could be back any moment.

  Norden returned and called down for food, beating her to it. He wasn’t talkative and he didn’t even inquire how her morning had been.

  That night they shared the bed, but he didn’t touch her.

  Erron couldn’t sleep. Fear that her father would wake and reach for her kept her up.

  At home, when he finished, he always let her flee to her own room after barking, “I’m done with you.”

  She hated the phrase, it always made her wince, but she hated sharing a bed with him more. Every time Jarek’s handsome face popped into her mind, shame washed over her and she scooted a little closer to the edge of the bed.

  Erron trembled and clutched the furs up to her neck. Tears fell silently, but thankfully didn’t disturb her father, who slept on his side, his back to her snoring softly.

  She called herself a fool for grieving her situation. She’d had turns to do so and had very much considered herself over it. Resigned to her fate.

  Why did Jarek have to come along and make her want more?

  Erron sealed her eyes shut and prayed for sleep.

  ****

  The ride home was coated in misery, but it was pretty close to how she was feeling, so maybe for once the Blessed Spirit was on her side. The rain poured down on them, but it helped disguise the tears that wouldn’t stop.

  Jarek consumed Erron’s thoughts. She’d only seen him once. It was not nearly enough, even though she had no business craving more. It was a waste of time anyway.

  Two nights, one day in Dalunas Main and she’d not left the Old Spirits Inn and Tavern at all. Even the privy was inside the small room she’d shared with her father.

  At least he’d not touched her. Being around people had given her a reprieve other than being alone. Evidently, her father didn’t want the outside world to know what went on behind the closed doors of their home.

  Norden had come and gone several times, barking harsh threats each time he’d left her. Despite that, her stomach fluttered as soon as he was gone. Erron waited for her tanner, but he didn’t come to her. She even called to him mentally, as if she possessed the magic necessary to get a response.

  She’d told him she was leaving the morning after she’d seen him, because Erron hadn’t known otherwise, of course, but she missed him more every moment he’d failed to show up.

  Erron clung to the white mare as they trudged along in the mud and rain. Fancy’s mane was plastered to her long neck, but she weaved her fingers into the coarse hair anyway, holding onto the reins with the other. She needed to feel something, even the soaked warm hide of her mount beneath her fingertips.

  “Erron, sit up and hold onto that horse properly,” her father ordered.

  Wincing, she did what she was told, slipping a little further into her cloak so he couldn’t see her face.

  When they got home, she helped Norden tend the horses. He was gruff with her like always, but he didn’t touch her.

  In the house, he watched while she heated the water for a bath without comment. Her heart sped up with every moment he stayed where he was. Her hands shook as she filled the tub by the fireplace, managing bucket after bucket of steaming water by herself. She didn’t want his assistance. She wanted him to retreat to his room.

  Erron had no desire to bathe naked in front of him, or worse—with him.

  “Hurry with your washing so the water will not chill for my bath,” her father said.

  “Yes, Father.” She breathed a sigh of relief as he disappeared into his quarters.

  Erron didn’t question why he’d let her bathe first, but she did appreciate it.
She wanted to soak in the tub; her muscles were sore from the ride, but she couldn’t take the risk. She would have to reserve that for a private bath in the barn tomorrow or the next day.

  She washed as fast as she could, donning a floor length, long sleeved, high neck chemise with too-damp skin. She shoved her arms into it, heart in her throat. Her stomach fluttered and her heart took off when Erron heard the creak of her father’s door, but he hadn’t reappeared just yet.

  The need to crawl into her own bed and bar the door was all consuming. But there was no lock on the small room she slept in. And if Norden wanted her in his bed, he usually ordered her there after evening meal.

  “Father, your bath is ready,” she called. No way was she going into his room. Her hands trembled as she put out a clean folded bathing sheet for him.

  Norden said nothing as he came back to the fireplace, but he started to unbutton his shirt. His breeches were already beltless and hanging open.

  She averted her eyes from his wide chest, covered with springy fair hair, and breathed a sigh of relief when he said nothing to her. She didn’t want to stay in the main room of the cottage and give him reason for ordering her to his bed, but she couldn’t run away, either.

  Erron sucked in air and ordered her heart to calm, and waited until she heard the splash of water. She slipped into her room, muttering a goodnight he ignored.

  Tears slid down her cheeks as she lay in bed. She tugged the thin blankets and shivered from the chill in the air. Norden hadn’t allowed her to light a fire in her tiny hearth. She would be cold, like she was most nights. Erron hadn’t been able to grab a horse blanket, because her father had been by her side when they’d cared for the horses after the trip.

  She turned to her side, tucking the fur under the front of her body and the back. Erron drew her knees up, curling into a ball and rocking. Hoping to build up warmth.

  Even though she’d hated every moment of sleeping next to Norden at the Old Spirits Inn, at least the bed had been comfortable and the furs had been warm.

  Erron crushed her eyes shut and tried to fight the flowing tears.

  She’d been foolish to think anyone could change her reality.