A Single Spark

by Tayvia Pierce

  Familiar grey-blue hues met mine as my stomach lurched. “Ben.” I blurted out flatly, halting their conversation and drawing all eyes to me in utter shock. It was in that moment I recalled that I had never mentioned Ben’s help in Soruk, my familiarity with the disreputable man likely earning me a lecture of my own later. Brynmor glared at me, crossing his arms over his chest as his lips tightened.

  A glimmer of satisfaction flickered over Ben’s features as he dipped his head to me, addressing me with that voice that was as irritatingly smooth as I remembered. “Good day, Lady Carys. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

  My earlier assumptions to the man’s character seemed well-founded in that moment before Rhian’s irritated voice cut through my thoughts to pull me back to reality. “You know him?” Her vastly irritated look gave way to her envy, and her formal introduction of her conversation partner lacked her usual finesse, though it was rich with insolence. “Yes, this is Ben, and he is my friend,” Rhian said hotly. “And you can’t be angry, I didn’t sneak off this time, because the Stag is exactly where I’m supposed to be.” She retorted, brushing imaginary dirt from her dress. Her cheeks were turning pink as she tried to maintain some composure. “Besides, Pedr was with me most of the time.” She lifted her chin high and smiled over to Pedr, though I caught the slight pleading look in her eyes for him to go along with the lie.

  Pedr looked distinctly uncomfortable, eying Ben with hints of envy before sighing and looking ill at ease with the position he was now put in. “It is as you say, Lady Rhian.” I let out a little sigh at her lie, wondering if she thought we were actually that daft? Ben’s brow furrowed slightly as he eyed Rhian, studying her for a moment before he spared a quick glance to me. I could sense his gaze as keenly as I could see it, my distaste for the man holding fast, though my curiosity was beginning to grow. What on earth was he doing in Lund, and why was he with my sister?

  Ben spared a brief glance to Pedr before narrowing his eyes slightly at Brynmor, sizing up the man who had dragged Rhian from his presence on more than one occasion. Brynmor shifted his angry glare to Ben, who chose that moment to gently chide my sister. “Lady Rhian, you have not introduced me to the rest of your household.” His voice was lower than I expected from my memory of him, surprisingly cultured though I couldn’t pick out any particular accent so I was left guessing the man’s heritage without so much as a clue.

  Rhian looked from Ben to me, twisting her lips in a grimace before resigning herself to using manners, awkwardly gesturing towards me. “Well, you know my sister already, so no introduction needed there.” She muttered tightly, eyes narrowing with that little twist of fate. “Then, this is Brynmor, one of our guards, and Pedr, who is a friend of our House.”

  A muscle in Ben’s jaw twitched as Rhian introduced Brynmor, giving a quick nod to the two men before turning his attention back to me. “Your sister was just telling me of your concern in our speaking together and I only wish to reassure you, my watch over her was done out of concern when she arrived without a guard. After her abduction, I thought it advisable to keep an eye on her in case more trouble arose.” His eyes pulled from mine to settle on Rhian, who stiffened and shot me a dark glare, assuming that I had been the one to tell him all about that.

  I admit to being mildly surprised by his candor for a moment before my annoyance returned. Is that an excuse, or is there more to it? Knowing the type of company he kept, my suspicions only grew. “If that is the case, then I am grateful, Ben, but I think a man of your years taking a child half your age into the darkened back corner would hardly be considered appropriate, regardless of your reasons.” I said tightly before looking to my sister with a growing frown, “And as for you, Rhian...do not ask Pedr to lie for you again. We know very well he spent the whole afternoon going all over town looking for your oranges.”

  Rhian’s color changed from red to white, her clever plan not as clever as she thought. “I...I’m not a child!” She huffed petulantly, glancing timidly at Ben in her growing embarrassment.

  Brynmor snorted and shook his head, muttering as he extended his hand to pull her up from her seat, “Then for the love of the gods, stop acting like one. Now come on, Rhi. We’re leaving.” Rhian glowered at Brynmor, making no move to get up.

  Ben cleared his throat, eyes narrowing slightly. “Lady Carys.” He began, his tone surprisingly calm and respectful despite what I had just said. “Forgive me if I am overstepping, but Lady Rhian has spoken to me of her reasons for going out alone. She has said your House lacks in guardians so she has nobody to take her to Lund in the evenings, and so I would like to offer my services as a guard to the members of your family.” His offer caught me completely off guard, nearly forcing a laugh from me at the thought of this scoundrel playing the role of a guard.

  My eyebrows lifted at his gall, though I wasn’t sure which I was more astounded by: his offer or her lies. “Is that what she said?” My voice was calm, but my intemperate nature lurked just beneath that outward poise as my exasperation for my sister and her antics grew. “I fear she has misinformed you, Ben. We have several guards and are not currently in need of more. I will keep your offer in mind, should circumstances change.” I said neutrally, gently taking Rhian’s other arm to pull her up.

  There was a flash of annoyance that flickered over Ben’s face as I spoke, his brow furrowing slightly. His voice was tight when he spoke, his words carefully chosen in his struggle to be both respectful and reasonable. “Right. You don’t hire scoundrels as protectors.” He snorted, seeming to know the course of my thoughts, though Rhian’s mention of his being a guardian previously created a tiny sliver of doubt to my earlier assessment of his character.

  He added coolly as his fingers wrapped around his mug. “Would you choose to risk your sister’s safety by not hiring another guard? One who actually desires to ensure her security rather than the apathetic guards who clearly do not understand the dangers this town has?” He gave a pointed look over to Brynmor before settling his eyes back on mine.

  Brynmor bristled and stood a little straighter, finally breaking into the conversation to defend himself and the other guards. “The safety of the girls is our primary concern, and we weren’t escorting her because she was sneaking out of the house to keep us from knowing about you.” He snapped angrily, pulling Rhian further away from Ben, the younger woman fussing in protest.

  I turned to glare at Brynmor and shushed him before looking back to Ben with a thinly veiled scowl for this entire situation. “Our guards serve us well...when we permit them.” I turned to give Rhian a direct look, hoping she caught my less than subtle hint. “Now if you will excuse us, Ben, I need to take my sister home.” Bryn’s grip on Rhian’s arm was tight and Rhian tried to tug her arm free, the attempt only serving to secure Brynmor’s grip even more. Rhian, left with no alternative, let her shoulders droop in acquiescence.

  She had lost the battle of wills and shot me a humbled look before turning her head, murmuring her farewell to Ben. “Goodnight, Ben. Have a pleasant evening,” She offered him a shy smile and as much of a curtsy as Brynmor’s hold would allow, her smile vanishing when Pedr came up beside her, gently taking her by the arm with the tenderness befitting a suitor. Brynmor reluctantly let Rhian go, eying her warily as though he fully expected her to bolt from the tavern, with or without Pedr in tow.

  Ben’s lips had pressed into a thin line of frustration, leaving me bewildered. He’s the scoundrel! He’s the one encouraging Rhian to disobey the rules and sneak out!....Isn’t he? My righteous indignation gave way to the traitorous thought as it slipped through my mind, lingering just long enough to leave a second sliver of doubt.

  His quiet exhale forced what frustration he was feeling behind a veil of neutrality, Ben offering Rhian a slight smile as he dipped his head politely. “Farewell, Lady Rhian. Now listen to your sister and do as she says.” Despite his dissatisfaction, his voice was both firm and calm, more authoritative than I would have expected.

  I c
ouldn’t help but stare at Ben as he spoke to Rhian, scarcely believing the support he had just given me. An argument or some form of protest, yes, but I had certainly not expected his agreement. I barely managed to pull my eyes from Ben as I looked to see my sister’s reaction to his order.

  Rhian nodded to the man with a crestfallen look, reluctantly letting Pedr lead her out of the tavern. My jaw dropped ever so slightly...She listened to him? Brynmor narrowed his eyes at Ben before looking at me, wrapping his fingers securely around my elbow. “Come, Carys.” He started pulling me along with him before I could politely excuse myself, and while I was about to reprimand Brynmor for his discourtesy, he growled lowly and muttered. “Spare me the lecture, I’m in no mood for it.”

  I glared at Brynmor as my lips parted to speak, though it was Ben’s voice behind me that dispelled the scolding on my tongue. “My offer still stands, Lady Carys.” Ben’s smooth tone drew my eyes over my shoulder to meet his blue-grey eyes, time slowing as his gaze locked with mine. It felt as though a full minute had passed before I finally managed a faint nod of understanding before Brynmor abruptly guided me out the door.

  Rhian was already mounted on her horse, a sullen look on her face as she avoided looking at Pedr, who was in the process of mounting his own horse while eying Rhian as though trying to understand what just happened. Brynmor propelled me forward towards my horse, frowning at me. “You aren’t going to start sneaking off to meet him now, too, are you?” He grunted in my ear, too low for Rhian or Pedr to hear, thank the gods.

  I had endured a lot of surprises already in this last hour, and that comment was yet another one. I turned my head to stare at him, affronted, and whispered back. “What? No! Why on earth would I do that?” Brynmor deadpanned at me for a moment, his snort driving my thoughts back to Ben and what might prompt my guard’s comment.

  Picturing his face in my mind’s eye, I couldn’t deny Ben was handsome. With angular features that boasted a straight nose, pointed chin, and lips that could curl into a caring smile or a cruel smirk and still be perfect, there was no scenario in my imagination in which he wouldn’t be attractive. His jaw was covered in a thin veil of stubble, but his most striking feature were his eyes. It wasn’t so much the color but the high level of intelligence behind them that made it difficult to look away.

  Brynmor’s eyes narrowed as he watched my features shift with my reverie, and I quickly pushed all thoughts of Ben away, feeling the heat beginning to rise in my cheeks as I reminded myself that the other man was clearly a bad influence on Rhian, and despite his good looks and his charm, he was a man that could not be trusted. I cleared my throat as though declaring myself innocent of all transgressions and mounted my horse, Brynmor helping me up with a suspicious look.

  CHAPTER 19

  The majority of the ride home was quiet, Rhian too humiliated to talk, Pedr looking confused and watching Rhian as though trying to decide whether or not this was a good time to ask what had just transpired, and Brynmor fuming as he rode in icy silence next to me.

  It wasn’t until we neared our village that Brynmor finally broke the silence with a harsh word. “How do you know him?” Out of everything that had just happened, that’s the part he’s mad about?

  I hesitated for a moment before answering. “You recall the map and directions to the Bone Farm where we met with Rhian’s abductors? Ben was the one who drew the map for me. Iolyn had been asking around, met Ben and Ben knew the ruins where we were to go and gave me the directions. That’s all.”

  Brynmor deadpanned at me and said. “From the sounds of his hiring scoundrels comment, it sounds like you discussed more than just directions.” I sighed, having forgotten about that and loathed having to explain it.

  “He wanders the lands of bandits without fear, prefers the company of prostitutes, and frequents rowdy taverns. Clearly that makes him a scoundrel and I’m not about to place our lives in his hands. It’s that simple.” I huffed defensively. “I didn’t think I would have this argument with you, of all people.”

  He snorted and shook his head. “Oh, I’m not arguing. I don’t like the man and I’m glad you aren’t considering employing him. I was just a little shocked to learn that you two were already acquainted. I don’t want to have to chase you down at night, too, Carys.” His eyes narrowed at me before he nudged his horse up ahead and through the front gate of our cottage.

  Rhian followed after Brynmor, ignoring Pedr as the man tried to talk to her, and I sighed again. While my foolish sister dismissed the gentle-natured man completely, I found myself wishing she didn’t. He was a year younger than I, a tad simple-minded, but good-hearted and kind, and could be a stable influence on Rhian if she could find it in her heart to befriend him rather than take advantage of his generosity and affection.

  Pedr looked grim and steered his horse through our cottage gate, dismounting at the front steps and gallantly helping me down from Ffion a moment later. Our horses knew the routine by now, wandering towards the stable-keeper the moment they were free of their riders’ weight. The stable-keeper waved and greeted us with a friendly nod before we headed inside.

  I was relieved to see that Derryth had cooked up a feast fit for the Kings of old as our plans for dining at the Stag had been cut awkwardly short. The hour had grown late by the time we finished eating, and I crawled into bed, pulling my thick blankets up as I let my body settle deep into the mattress with a tiny groan. Rhian was already in bed, having spent most of the evening hiding in our room after Pedr managed to take her on a brief walk to the pond. I had assumed she was already asleep until she spoke quietly, sounding almost like the girl from Perinthas. “Carys?”

  The blankets rustled softly as I turned to look over to her, only the faint outline of her face visible in the dimming light of the fire. “What is it, Rhian?” I asked curiously. She hadn’t spoken to me much these last couple of weeks, usually choosing to either lash out or gloat, if she even acknowledged me at all. Not that I blame her. I’m the evil dictator that makes her life unbearable, I thought with no small amount of sarcasm.

  “Why won’t you hire Ben?” She asked, her question not surprising me at all and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her single-mindedness. She should know enough about the process of hiring a guard in our family, even if she hadn’t personally participated in such. It had taken months to hire on Madox, and she had complained about the time frame almost daily.

  I took a deep breath only to let out a faint sigh and responded truthfully. “Because he is a complete stranger and a vagabond, at that, and we don’t hire distrustful, aimless men to hold our lives in their hands, Rhi.” I started to explain, thinking this is something she should understand already. “We know nothing about him, and frankly, I don’t trust him. Besides, that whole story about being a House Guard for a wealthy nobleman could be a lie, designed just to trick you.”

  Rhian sat up in bed, glaring at me, but I gave her a pointed look straight back as she protested. “I think it’s unfair how you aren’t even giving Ben half a chance to prove anything to you. You won’t even talk to him or listen to anything he has to say so how can he prove his worth to you?” Her eyes narrowed at me in a scowl.

  My lips parted and as always, I was ready with a quick retort, but the fact that she had a point halted my words. I groaned inwardly and really did not want to admit that she might be slightly right. I turned my head from my sister to stare up to the ceiling, letting out a little sigh. “You might have a point, Rhi.” She straightened with a triumphant smile while I sat up, twisting myself to face her.

  I had no choice left but to relent, much to my chagrin, but I kept my voice firm. “I will make you a deal. You stop sneaking out and going off alone, and I will talk further with Ben and attempt to get to know him a little. Don’t get your hopes up on him being hired, though.” I warned her, watching her brighten considerably, and I wondered if she even heard the last part. “There are no promises here other than the one where I will give him a chance to earn my
trust but don’t think it will be an easy feat.” It would likely be all the more difficult simply because of my established distrust of the man.

  Rhian bobbed her head several times quickly, clearly accepting this deal without hesitation and then her face grew more somber. “I promise, Carys. No more sneaking out so long as you give him a chance.” Her glee could not remain buried long, however, and a moment later, she was out of her bed and leaping towards me in a hug.

  You would think I just gave her permission to marry the man! I grunted in surprise at the impact of her narrow frame, my own arms wrapped around her in a hug. “No promises, Rhi...but I will at least talk with him, should I ever see him again. For all we know, he’s already left town.” I almost hoped the man had gone, which would save me the trouble of having to live up to my end of the bargain.

  She nodded emphatically and released me, twirling and giggling as she rose and fell back into her own bed with a wide smile. She fell asleep quickly, though I lay awake long into the night.

  What did I just agree to?

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~