Fate's Call

by C. A. Szarek

Jarek’s handsome smiling face danced into his mind and gritted her teeth. He was a dream she couldn’t have.

  She could only pray the Blessed Spirit would keep her from her father’s bed this night.

  Chapter Seven

  She looked up when someone called her name. Her heart stuttered and she had to order her feet to stop so she wouldn’t fall on her face. Erron blinked but the vision didn’t clear.

  He’s real…

  Jarek, astride a dark horse, was on the road at the edge of the field she was plowing with Angus. He was so handsome, so familiar he stole her breath and her head swam.

  She pulled the old gray horse to a halt and he whinnied, but she ignored him, her eyes on the man who hadn’t left her thoughts at all in the sevenday she’d been home from Dalunas Main.

  Erron glanced over her shoulder at the cottage she shared with her father. All was quiet, but would he come barging out at any moment? She shuddered and looked back at her tanner. She struggled to remember what he’d been doing when she’d left to begin her daily farming duties.

  The smile on Jarek’s face made her body flush. She shoved the wisps of hair from her eyes and swiped at her sweaty face. She must look awful.

  “Erron,” Jarek repeated, hopping down from his mount.

  Was he real?

  He laughed. “Aye, I’m real. I’m really here.”

  Heat crept into her cheeks. She’d spoken aloud?

  Jarek jumped the fence and landed beside her.

  Angus didn’t like the sudden movement and shifted his hooves, nickering.

  She couldn’t reassure the old plow horse. Erron could only stare at her tanner. She looked up into his dark eyes. Didn’t pull away when he gripped her hand and caressed the back of it with his thumb. The move was soothing and warmed her. But it left her wanting again. And she shouldn’t…couldn’t.

  “I told you I’d come for you. Did you not believe me?”

  “I don’t know what to say,” she confessed.

  Jarek flashed a smile and dipped down. He tugged her into his arms, and his mouth came down on hers.

  Erron had dreamed about this—her first real kiss. Reality was so much better.

  With the first move of his lips over hers, she snaked her arms around his neck and Jarek pulled her closer. The warmth of his body consumed her and she inched even closer, opening her mouth under his. He pushed his tongue inside, touching hers. Erron tentatively did the same. Their tongues rubbed, entwined. Dueled.

  Someone moaned.

  Heat suffused her body, traveling down her arms, spine and settling in her belly, low. Erron held onto him tighter, having no choice but to meld against him, because her shaking legs threatened to fail her. Jarek tightened his arms around her, holding her up, and kissed her harder.

  The hard ridge of his arousal pressed into her belly, but she wasn’t afraid, she was…excited. Erron wanted more. Her stomach flipped and the warmth spread even lower, making her achy.

  Jarek broke the kiss.

  Her vision danced, and she gripped his arms hard to stay on her feet.

  He groaned as his eyes raked her face. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,” he breathed.

  Erron blushed and looked away. Her eyes swept the field and she froze in his arms. Anyone could have seen them.

  “What’s wrong?” Concern clouded his eyes.

  She pulled away from him gently and Jarek released her. Erron was cold without his arms around her. She shivered.

  “Erron…”

  “My father could have seen us.”

  His brow furrowed. “About that—”

  “You wouldn’t understand. You need to leave before he sees you.” Her words were rushed and she had to bite her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. Tears burned and Erron swallowed hard. She would not cry in front of him.

  He crossed his arms over his chest, his expression dark. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Erron stared. What can I say?

  She couldn’t tell him the truth... As much as it would probably hurry his departure, she couldn’t bear the shame of him knowing, or seeing disgust in those beautiful brown orbs.

  “I wish to speak with your father, so let him see us.”

  She shook her head and took a step back. The wooden plow handle hit her hip and she wobbled.

  Jarek’s hand shot out and steadied her.

  Her heart thundered in her ears, her blood rushing from her face in a wave. She needed to thank him for keeping her from falling, but the words wouldn’t form.

  What can he have to say to Father?

  “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “I…can’t,” Erron whispered.

  “Why?”

  “It...it…doesn’t matter. Just go. Before he sees you.”

  ****

  Jarek stared at Erron. She was practically pushing him to his horse.

  What the hell? She wanted him to leave?

  The way she’d returned his kiss couldn’t have been faked. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  Erron had been right there with him…until he’d told her he wanted to talk to her father. She hadn’t even asked him what he wanted to discuss. Her skin had paled out so much he’d feared she would pass out.

  She wavered on her feet and in his grip. She’d even pushed his hand off after he’d kept her from tripping backwards over the plow handle.

  He’d always known something was wrong. A daughter didn’t fear her father—and it was fear written all over Erron—like that without reason.

  But what’s the reason?

  Cupping her shoulders, he shook her gently. “Erron, stop.”

  Her crystal blue eyes went so wide the white of her eyes was visible all around. “Jarek…” Her voice broke, her body trembled beneath his hands, and she threw a glance over her shoulder, worrying her bottom lip.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” He drew her back into his arms, expecting her to fight him. Jarek wouldn’t be deterred.

  Her shoulders slumped and she collapsed against his chest.

  He smoothed the pale hair that had escaped her thick plait. Blessed Spirit, he wanted to see the flaxen waves loose. Run his fingers through them. Jarek wanted Erron.

  It felt so good to hold her, he’d take what he could get for now.

  “Why did you come?” she asked, the sound muffled against the fabric of his beige tunic.

  “For you, of course.”

  She pulled back and pale eyes met his own. “Whatever for?”

  Jarek’s heart skipped a beat. He didn’t like the break of their physical contact, so he settled his hands on her shoulders, like he had before.

  What would she say to his confession?

  They didn’t know each other. They’d met literally two times before today, yet he was drawn to her with no explanation.

  Was it some latent magic? Something more than he knew? Something he couldn’t grasp? Could Erron? Maybe she had magic, too? Stronger than his.

  He couldn’t see into the future, but this stunning girl was a part of his own as sure as a vision confirming it.

  There was no doubt.

  She didn’t love him. He didn’t love her.

  Jarek cared for her deeply, and once again, couldn’t name why. Loving her would be without effort. And probably not too far off. That didn’t scare him, it excited him.

  He was enchanted with her, even in her current condition of too-pale skin and misty eyes, on the brink of tears that would kill him if she shed them.

  “I want to marry you, Erron.” He took a deep breath and waited for her answer.

  Chapter Eight

  “You…you…what?” Erron broke away from his grip on her shoulders and took a step back. She couldn’t have heard him right.

  She stumbled and the ground met her backside hard. She winced. Her head spun. There was no way her ears hadn’t deceived her.

  It was impossible Jarek had actually spoken of marriage.

  “Are you all right?” he
asked.

  Erron gulped and nodded.

  “Not exactly the reaction I’d anticipated.” His face fell, but he took a step forward and offered her a hand.

  She took it, her cheeks heating as he pulled her to her feet without effort. She’d hurt his feelings. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “You…you…surprised me.” She avoided his dark eyes and kept her hands busy by brushing off her bottom.

  The earth was damp, perfect for the plow, so she likely had a brown stain on the back of her dress now. Thoughts about Jarek’s proposal swirled around in her head, and she couldn’t demand why aloud like she wanted to.

  Because she wanted to say yes.

  Even if she agreed to marry him at that moment, he’d never want her when he found out the truth. Her stomach flipped.

  Erron bit her lip to stave off the threatening tears.

  “Look at me.” Jarek’s voice was firm and she couldn’t help but meet his gaze. The heated tenderness there made her heart pound. “I realize this is a shock. Honestly, it is to me as well. I…I…can’t explain it. You’re…perfect. I want you to be my wife.”

  The heat searing her face intensified and he took another step toward her. Erron’s heart shouted yes, and her head reminded her of how impossible the prospect was.

  He won’t want you when he finds out, a voice chided.

  Jarek took her hand and she didn’t pull away. She ached to accept his proposal. With him, she could have a real future…love…children.

  Could it really be more than a dream? His handsome face blurred and she swayed on her feet. How was she going to deny him? Deny what she wanted?

  What would be worse, declining his offer or telling him the truth only to have him reject her? Either way, she lost him. Tears cascaded.

  “Why are you crying?” he whispered. Jarek brushed her tears away with gentle fingers and Erron wanted to lean into him, fall into him.

  What he’d said was true. They didn’t know each other, but…she was drawn to him, too. It wasn’t something she couldn’t explain, either.

  She shook her head, unable to speak.

  “Erron!” The boom of her father’s shout made her jump.

  She and Jarek looked at the large blond man at the same time, and Erron yanked her hand out of her tanner’s. She took a step away from him.

  Jarek shot her a look but said nothing.

  Norden strode across the field. Even at a distance, she could feel his fury. His shoulders were tight and his big body completely straight—two very bad signs.

  A tremor slid down her spine and her hands shook, so she made tight fists and planted her arms at her sides.

  Jarek stepped in front of her, obscuring her from her father’s line of sight.

  She gulped and shifted back where her father could spot her. Being blocked, protected from Norden would only make him angrier.

  He reached them in moments, glaring at the tanner. “Who’re—” Her father stared at Jarek, then growled. “I remember you. The alley.” His gaze swung from Erron and back to Jarek.

  She bit back a wince. Fought to plaster on a serene, polite expression and banish her terror. She didn’t want either male to see that.

  “What’s going on here?” he demanded.

  Jarek cleared his throat and took a step toward Norden. They were almost equal in height, but her father outweighed him in bulk and muscle. “Sir, I would like to speak to you.”

  “You are.” Norden’s eyes narrowed.

  What if… Erron shook her head. No.

  Her father wouldn’t harm him. Usually to the outside world, he actually had some manners. But from the look he was giving her, when Jarek left, she was in for it.

  He would accuse her of something horrible, or just flat out beat her. She wouldn’t dwell on what else he would do. He hadn’t demanded she come to his room in over a sevenday.

  Erron dug deep for courage and took a step forward, stopping next to Jarek. If only she could’ve taken his hand. “Father, we should offer the tanner some hospitality. We’re in the field…”

  “I’m well aware of our location,” Norden snapped.

  Jarek said nothing, but his jaw tightened.

  Erron winced. If he stood up for her now, she’d be the one to pay when he left. “The tanner is our guest,” she pressed, her heart thundering, her stomach tight and achy.

  Her father grunted. “I suppose so. Put Angus away. The sun sets soon. It’s almost time for you to prepare supper, anyway.” Norden turned on his heel without another word. He crossed the field and headed into the barn.

  Jarek shot a look at her, and she shook her head. He took her cue and said nothing until her father was well out of earshot, but his shoulders were tight and his fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles white. He was furious.

  She said nothing, returning to the plow and unhooking one side from Angus’s hitch. The old gelding nickered and she patted his rump.

  Jarek handled the other side, his movements jerky. “I’m not leaving you here, no matter what he says.”

  Erron’s heart skipped a beat at the promise in his tone, and bit her bottom lip. “This is my life, Jarek.”

  “And there’s something very wrong.”

  She shook her head. Blinked to clear her vision when new tears arose, fighting the urge to sniffle. He couldn’t see her face from her current position, and it was for the better.

  “I don’t like how he talks to you. And I don’t like how he snatched your arm the day we met.”

  Sliding her hand into Angus’s bridle, she tugged the gray horse toward the barn. “Get your horse and come this way, but please keep your thoughts in your head. My father is in the barn. Leave the plow, I’ll get it later.”

  Jarek growled and grabbed her arm. Although his touch was urgent, he didn’t hurt her. “I promised you in Dalunas Main I was coming for you, and I have. I’m telling you now. I’m not leaving you here, Erron.”

  She stared at him, tears hot on her cheeks. “You won’t want me, Jarek.”

  Why had she said that?

  “What are you talking about? I do want you. I want you to be my wife.”

  Shaking her head again, Erron swallowed back a sob. “You won’t for long.”

  It took all she was made of to turn away from him, square her shoulders, and lead the old plow horse to his stall.

  Jarek followed with his pretty bay mount, walking on Angus’ other side, but his gaze burned her back. She could sense his heat behind her as if he was touching her.

  He hefted the plow too, even though she’d told him to leave it.

  Erron wanted to collapse in his arms. She wanted to feel his lips on hers again and his hard body tight against her. But even if her father agreed and gave her to him, he wouldn’t want her when he found out she was damaged.

  Impure.

  And when Jarek left, her spirit would go with him.

  Chapter Nine

  Her hands shook as she ladled stew into a bowl. Erron’s heart was at a constant pound, her skin flushed. She felt the sweat on her brow, but didn’t want her father to see her nerves, so she left it alone, praying her whole face didn’t have the sheen she suspected it did.

  The two men at the small table were silent, but disaster was imminent.

  She made it to them without tripping and set Jarek’s dinner down in front of him. He smileed and offered thanks.

  Erron averted her gaze. Her father watched them, eyes narrowed. He said nothing, but tremors chased each other down her spine. Her palms were as clammy as the rest of her, and she resisted the urge to wipe them dry on her dress.

  Hurrying back to the kitchen area of their cottage, she retrieved the bread she’d baked that morning. Norden always demanded warm a warm loaf with his meal, so she’d heated it by proximity to the fireplace. She had to get her own bowl, too.

  Erron took her seat after pouring mead for her father.

  Jarek stopped her and poured his own, as well as some for her, earning a glare from Norden.

>   She held her breath, staring at the inviting bowl of rabbit stew. Steam wafted, the pleasant scent tickling her nose, but it only made her stomach clench tighter.

  As was typical for her father, conversation was scarce as he shoved food into his mouth. Jarek shifted on the seat next to her but Erron screamed at herself not to look at him. If Norden assumed they had some familiarity, she’d pay for it later.

  She bit back a gulp and shoved a spoonful of the thick stew into her mouth. Chew. Swallow. Repeat. Normally, this was one of her favorite meals; tonight Erron tasted nothing.

  “This tastes very good, Erron, thank you,” Jarek said.

  Meeting his eyes for only a moment, she gave a small smile. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Her father looked up. He said nothing, but snatched another piece of bread and tore off a bite.

  She took a breath and made herself eat. The sooner they finished, the sooner Jarek would…well, what did he plan to do?

  He’d said he wanted to speak to her father about her hand in marriage. Would he just come out and say it?

  Her heart skipped a beat. How could she make her father think she didn’t care either way? If he figured out she desired to marry Jarek, he would surely decline.

  She’d never had a suitor before.

  What would Norden say?

  Erron spared Jarek a glance. Heat crept up her neck as she caught his dark eyes. He was staring in her direction. She looked down, swirling her spoon in her bowl, swallowing hard.

  What would the tanner say if her father said no?

  I promised you in Dalunas Main I was coming for you, and I have. I’m telling you now. I’m not leaving you here, Erron. Memory conjured his words as if he leaned over and whispered them in her ear.

  He wouldn’t leave her.

  He wouldn’t…leave her?

  Her heart skipped a beat as panic settled over her. Would he leave her? Why did she care? This was her life, she was resigned to it. As she always had been…

  He won’t want you when he finds out the truth.

  She closed her eyes, then forced another breath and sat taller. Erron was at the supper table. Her father was right next to her. She couldn’t give him cause to notice something wasn’t right with her.