Errant Spark (Elemental Trials Book 1)

by Ronelle Antoinette

  She’d known she wouldn’t be able to escape him, but the attempt had given her just enough time.

  Enari flipped onto her back and as her would-be rapist dropped onto her, she brought her dagger up between their bodies. His weight drove the blade into his vitals at an upward angle and she twisted it as Jex had shown her. The man let out an agonized howl and she felt a flood of sticky warmth coat her hands and stomach. He toppled away from her and flopped in a spreading pool of dark blood for a moment before going still. A foul stench filled the air and she gagged.

  A short, high pitched shriek of pain resounded from further down the passage, but it cut off abruptly and was replaced by heavy silence. Enari hardly noticed, unable to tear her eyes from the hilt protruding from the dead man’s belly. Hurried footsteps approached her and she turned her head woodenly.

  Jex’s anxious face stared down at her, blood running from his nose and a cut above one eye. He dropped to his knees, blocking out the grisly scene, and pulled her to a sitting position.

  “Are you hurt?” Hands ran over her, checking for injuries. Finding no obvious wounds, he embraced her tightly, pressing his face to her hair and letting out a whisper of thanks to the Consorts. She just stared at the blood staining her hands, so dark in the night that it looked black. Dimly, she heard him order her to stay where she was, that he’d be right back. His footsteps retreated.

  Jex knelt and examined the limp form of his final adversary, watching the narrow chest rise and fall for a moment before reaching down to rip the dagger free of the man’s shoulder. He slapped the other’s face harshly until his eyes fluttered open on a moan. They went wide in terror as he saw the mage hovering over him. He sucked in a sharp breath and tried to scamper away, but fire blossomed around Jex’s fingertips and the thug squealed and threw up an arm to protect himself.

  “You gambled and lost, friend,” Jex stated calmly

  “We were only protecting one of ours,” the man whimpered, “Please don’t kill me!”

  “The only reason you aren’t dead already is because I need someone to run a message.” The smile that crossed the mage’s face was as pointed as the blade in his hand.

  “I, I, yes, anything you want!” He licked his lips, nervously eyeing the dancing flames.

  “Tell Moravelle that Jex Xander will be paying her a visit and that he is not pleased.”

  “Xander? Diu, I didn’t recognize you. We didn’t know—”

  “Shut up” with a snap of his fingers, the fire vanished, “and get out of here before a guard comes along or I reconsider your usefulness.”

  The man scrambled to his feet and fled, stumbling and nearly falling once as he ran. In a flash, he disappeared around the nearest corner and his pounding footsteps faded. Jex stared after him for a moment, eyes glacial, before returning to where Enari sat.

  She seemed to be coming out of her shock, and was scrubbing her palms against her torn skirt in an attempt to remove the residue that clung to them. He was relieved and more than a little impressed to see that her eyes were clear and dry, no hint of panic or hysteria in evidence. He retrieved the loaned dagger and when he beckoned, she climbed to her feet and came to him, leaning into his side and putting her face against his chest. He slid an arm around her shoulders and they began to walk.

  Not far from their fateful alley, they came upon an unconscious nobleman propped up against a wall with an empty bottle beside one slack hand. Jex relieved him of his cape, leaving a gold coin in the drunk’s lap as payment.

  “He’ll wake up without it, and a good deal more besides, but that’s not my fault,” he said, draping the light garment over Enari’s shoulders. It fell to below her knees and when she clutched the edges together, it covered her torn clothing almost entirely.

  A fountain in the middle of a tree lined courtyard was their next stop. Using a handkerchief Jex found in one of his pockets, they cleaned the blood and grime from their hands and faces. It was then that Enari saw the long slash in his right forearm. The cut ran from wrist to just short of his elbow and the blade had missed opening the vein by half the breadth of her little finger.

  “It’ll need stitches to close, I imagine,” he grumbled, examining the injury. Even now, blood continued to ooze from it, sliding down to drip from his palm to the cobbles beneath his feet. Enari bent and tore a strip of linen from the hem of her ruined chemise, then pushed at Jex until he sat on the edge of the fountain. She was more in her element here and he watched her with a faint smile as she rinsed and then bound the wound securely, tucking the ends of the makeshift bandage in neatly when she’d finished.

  That had been more than an hour ago and they’d been walking ever since, avoiding the busier areas of the city in favor of quiet residential avenues. She was tiring rapidly.

  Feeling the tug on his hand as she began to lag behind, Jex stopped, bent, and lifted her into his arms. Enari gratefully rested her face against the side of his neck and closed her eyes.

  In seconds, she was asleep.

  * * *

  Torchlight fell across her face, waking her with a start, and it was only then she realized they’d stopped walking.

  “There you are, Xander.” The speaker sounded relieved.

  Slitting open her eyes the barest crack, Enari saw Gaylan Krighamre standing before them, clad in full armor and holding a wicked-looking pike in one fist. He was the sole guard at the small gate they’d used to exit the palace earlier, in an afternoon that felt like a lifetime ago.

  He appraised them with open curiosity. “I can see you have quite a story to tell and that it’s one best heard with a tankard.”

  “Oh, aye.” Jex sounded almost as weary as she felt. “Later, perhaps.”

  “There might not be a later. The kvinna started turning the place upside down around dusk when she couldn’t find the wee one there,” Gaylan gestured at Enari. “Then when you were nowhere to be found, she put two-and-two together. The woman’s set a warrant for your danglies, and my captain very much wants a word with you.”

  “Black Goddess preserve me,” Jex groaned in defeat. He shifted Enari in his arms and she pulled a corner of the cape up to cover her eyes from the stinging torch smoke.

  “I think you’ll want something a little more solid than the protection of the All-Mother. May I suggest an iron codpiece as a start?”

  “Shove it, Krighamre. Are you going to let us in or not? I promise I’ll talk to your commander, and you’ll get your tale, if I survive the next hour or so.”

  “Aye,” the big man agreed, but he didn’t smile at the prospect. He opened the gate and waved them in. As Jex tried to move away, he put a restraining hand on the mage’s shoulder and when their eyes met, his were full of sorrow and regret.

  “What?” Jex asked suspiciously.

  Before Gaylan could answer, a quintet of guardsmen, also in full battle regalia, appeared from the shadows, the guard captain himself at their head.

  Jex observed them stonily, then turned his attention on Gaylan.

  “I’m sorry, Xander,” he sighed, holding out his arms. “Please don’t raise a fuss. It’ll be easier for you if you just go quietly. Give her here and I’ll make sure she gets to her room and her Sura safely.”

  Jex set Enari on her feet, but instead of going to the Tesian, she clung to him, confused eyes flicking back and forth between Gaylan and his silent brothers-in-arms.

  “Well?” Jex prompted. He put an arm protectively around Enari’s shoulders.

  “A lot’s happened tonight while you two dallied in the city. It’s not good.”

  “I can see that.” Jex jerked his head at the others. “Still doesn’t explain your friends there.”

  “Tor Brinon is dead,” Gaylan told him, “And Goddess forgive me, but—”

  “Enough!” the guard captain thundered, “Jex Xander, you are hereby under arrest for sedition, illegal entry into the kingdom of Egalion, and murder.” He raked an eye over Enari’s disheveled appearance. “After I get this girl’
s story, be prepared for rape to be added to the list of charges. The sentence of death by hanging will be carried out at dawn.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  “I beg your pardon?” Jex blustered, straightening to his full height and facing the captain squarely. He gave the man his haughtiest glower. “Just where do you get off—”

  He was cut short by a blow to the mouth from a gauntleted fist. It knocked him sprawling and his head rebounded from the stone wall behind him with a sickening thwack. Enari tried to go to him, but Gaylan caught her around the waist and hauled her back against him. The chainmail of his hauberk was cold, even through her cloak and gown.

  “Leave him,” he hissed in her ear, “or you’ll join him, and we both know he wouldn’t want that!”

  She struggled, but knew it was futile. All she could do was watch the guards drag Jex roughly to his feet and attempt to shackle his wrists together behind his back. Blood poured from his split lips and lacerated gums, coating his chin and the front of his tunic in scarlet. He spat contemptuously at the captain’s feet even as he fought against the men holding him. The effort only earned him a hard cuff to the side of his head that sent him staggering into the man next to him. The guardsman swore and shoved him away, but too roughly, and the mage hit the slightly open gate face first before he was grabbed by two more men. Enari saw fresh scrapes and a new cut on his cheek when he righted himself.

  Jex managed to yank one arm free and in his unthinking fury, called fire to life in a whirling pillar around himself. The steely rasp of swords being drawn cut the night.

  “DON’T!” Enari screamed, trying her hardest to escape the granite circle of Gaylan’s arms. She knew he couldn’t hear her, but her mind called to him regardless. These men looked as if they’d have no qualms about killing him should he turn his magic upon them.

  Jex’s head whipped toward her and his eyes were wide, startled. His mouth dropped open and the flames stuttered out of existence. He was distracted just long enough for one of the men to use his own staff against him. Swinging it like a club, the man struck Jex high in the back. Bones cracked and he went down.

  This time, he stayed that way and Enari felt tears of helpless rage sting her eyes. Jex groaned once, tried to roll onto his side, and then went still.

  “Sir,” Gaylan began, but his captain rounded on him with narrowed eyes.

  “You’re on thin enough ice as it is, Krighamre, and you’d be wise to carefully consider your next words. I’ll deal with you and the girl later, but for now, remain at your post and speak of this to no one.” He turned back to his winded men and pointed at the downed mage. “Get him out of here.”

  Someone slapped Jex’s face until he came around enough to keep his feet once he was hauled upright. They were hustling him off when he braced his legs and stopped walking.

  “Wait, wait,” he said hazily as one of the guards started pushing at him, “I get a last request, do I not?” His eyes settled on the captain.

  “If you make it quick, I may be inclined to grant it.”

  “A kiss from the lass there.” He inclined his head towards Enari.

  An affirmative nod from the captain and she ran to Jex, standing on tiptoe even as he bent his head.

  “In my pocket,” he breathed against her lips, “Get it away from here.”

  Then his mouth was on hers, hot and insistent and tasting of blood.

  Using her body to shield the movement of her hands, Enari reached into his tunic and removed the little pouch he carried in an inner pocket, slipping it beneath her cloak without anyone being the wiser. After only a moment, they were jerked apart.

  “That’s enough! Take him below.”

  * * *

  Enari fled as soon as the men were out of sight and Gaylan let her go. Consorts knew the girl was better equipped to find someone who could help than he. As she disappeared, he offered up a whispered prayer to the Goddess and Her consorts for the battlemage’s protection before turning back to face the darkness beyond the gate.

  She didn’t make it far before a hand shot out of the shadows and grabbed her arm, jerking her to a stop. Whirling, she found herself confronted by a man she’d never seen before.

  He was only a little taller than she and neatly built, with hands and feet petite enough to be almost feminine. Dark hair fell past his shoulders in a myriad of intricate braids and each was bound at the end with ties of woven horse hair. Intelligent black eyes studied her from a narrow and sharp-boned face the deep brown of tanned leather.

  The star and shield over his heart identified him as a mage of the Tower and Enari released a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. This man was a friend.

  His eyes darted down and Enari’s followed. He still held her, and he’d spotted the object clutched in her fist.

  “He must trust you very much to give you that,” he told her, his voice low and husky. “We must act quickly if we are to save him. Come.” Halting after only a few steps, he glanced over his shoulder and favored her with a thin smile. “I am Perimos, by the way. Perimos Wind-Strider.”

  * * *

  He was marched down to a small cell in the bowels of the palace and shoved unceremoniously inside. The heavy door clanged shut behind him and he was alone in the near-dark.

  Staggering drunkenly to the stone bench along the wall, he collapsed upon it, hissing out a string of vicious expletives as his ribs and head protested. He lay back and closed his eyes, waiting.

  He didn’t have to wait long.

  Less than half an hour had passed when the door opened and torchlight lanced through his lowered eyelids. He ignored the intruders, feigning sleep.

  “Chain him.”

  Several sets of hands grabbed him and jerked him up and over to the wall. One wrist was unshackled and he heard the clinking of chains as it was pulled through a loop above his head. His arms were drawn sharply upwards and the manacle refastened. The angle was awkward and became almost immediately painful. Jex widened his stance for better balance and glared balefully at the retreating guards. He and the captain were promptly left alone to stare at one another.

  “I trust you know why you’re here,” the man said at last.

  “Sedition, illegal entry into the kingdom of Egalion, and murder, wasn’t it?” Jex replied acidly. He cocked his head. “Have you decided whether you’re adding rape to the list as well?”

  “Such impertinence does you no credit,” the captain sneered, “and as to the charge of rape…I haven’t had a chance to speak with her yet.”

  “Everything I’ve done with her has been with her most enthusiastic consent, so don’t waste your time.”

  “I’d be lax in my duty if I didn’t thoroughly investigate the matter.”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time lately.”

  As he suspected it would, the remark earned him another blow, this time to the belly. He’d have doubled over if there’d been enough slack in his chains.

  “I’ve enough to hang you without it, in any case.” The captain paced leisurely around the small room, hands clasped behind his back. “I’m sure you know how the people feel about Atromorese scum like you living in their midst.”

  “What an imagination you have, Captain! Do I look Atromorese to you?” While he spoke with nonchalance, inside he was shaking. How could this man know? What was to become of his mother and sister? Perhaps they didn’t know about his family, but he doubted he would be so lucky.

  “Save the lies.” The captain produced a familiar black silk bag. He opened it and withdrew a tarnished Atromorese silver, blackened around the edges, and held it up between two fingers for Jex to see. “You should be more careful with your things, filth.”

  Then he stuck a hand into Jex’s tunic and, finding it empty, turned out both his trouser pockets. He swore when he came up empty-handed and the look he leveled on his prisoner was one of pure, unadulterated hatred.

  “Where is it?” he snarled.

  “Where’s what?” Jex asked in
nocently. “You know, you aren’t nearly pretty enough to be so handsy without at least buying me a drink first.” He paused and studied the captain for a moment. “On second thought, I don’t think the contents of an entire week’s Allsorts jug would make you pretty enough.”

  This time, the captain kicked his legs out from under him, forcing his arms to momentarily bear his full weight. There was a crackling pop as his shoulder dislocated under the strain.

  “Tell me where it is!”

  “Fuck you,” Jex wheezed, “and your mother.”

  “No matter,” he shrugged, “you’re going to confess to the murders in this palace regardless.”

  “Or what? You’ll beat it out of me?” Jex taunted breathlessly. He’d already been slated for execution, but he refused to confess to something he hadn’t done.

  The man removed his gauntlets slowly. “If that’s what it takes, though I don’t actually need your admission of guilt. I just thought I’d at least give you the chance to freely unburden your soul before sending you to Dusan’s judgment.”

  “Before you commence, may I at least know how you came by that bag and its contents?”

  “Why does it matter?”

  Jex rolled his eyes. “I merely wish to have my curiosity sated before I die.”

  “A concerned citizen brought it to one of my men after word got around about the coin on the first body. She said you carried a bag identical to the one she found in your chamber, and that she’d seen an Atromorese coin in it. It doesn’t take a genius to put two-and-two together and reach four.”

  “Except in this case, your arithmetic is a bit off,” Jex advised, “I wasn’t even here when the boy was killed, and that coin could have come from almost anywhere. There’s a whole entire kingdom’s worth of them on the other side of the Fengals, you see. So really, for you two-and-two makes three and a quarter. Did you learn your numbers from a cave troll?”

  The captain raised his fist, then stopped. A calculating gleam entered his eye and he slowly lowered his hand. “You know, I’ve changed my mind. I think I’ll go and talk to the little fire-crown you came in with, just in case she has anything to add.”