A Single Spark

by Tayvia Pierce

  Madox quickly nodded after both brows shot up in surprise, but quickly veiled any further thoughts on our newest addition behind an awkward smile. “Welcome aboard.” He offered a cordial welcome, though his eyes strayed to mine again as though asking if I was sure about this. Rhian beamed as she bobbed her head cheerfully, not quite perceiving the hesitation from Madox. She chirped, “Can you believe Carys finally gave in? It’s about time, I would say.” She shot me a look over her shoulder with a smug glint in her eyes.

  Ben smirked slightly as his eyes settled briefly on Rhian, though addressed Madox a moment later. “Thank you.” He replied smoothly, his demeanor growing serious as he added. “With strange notes being left on your door and the threat of bandits, having an extra set of blades around is a wise decision.” He said, turning his gaze towards me, sending a little chill down my spine. Why do I feel like he is including me in that ‘extra set of blades’ comment?

  Our topic of conversation was cut short as the door to the study swung open, Father and Brynmor exiting with the former looking sternly adamant and the latter looking distinctly unhappy. My brow slowly arched, wondering what they had been discussing that had them both so irritable. Father’s grim demeanor shifted when he saw that we had all returned and nodded with an approving smile to Ben. “Welcome here. I trust Carys has explained everything to your satisfaction?”

  Ben nodded respectfully as a bewildered look filled Brynmor’s face, his miserable look becoming one of confusion as he looked between Father and Ben. “Wait...what?” All eyes were on Brynmor as we watched realization dawn. Slowly, his expression shifted as he understood what had transpired and his confusion moved into anger. “Wait...you actually hired him?” He turned his venomous look over to me, knowing it had been on my say so that Father had even considered it. “He was the one corrupting Rhian, convincing her to defy the rules and her family and you hired him?” His face was mottled in an anger born from jealousy and his fists clenched. “I have rounds.” He growled, stalking towards the door, slamming it shut behind him.

  It was dead silent in the house for what seemed an eternity, the collective breath of everyone present finally releasing once the shaking of the walls came to an end. Madox broke the silence with an awkward departure. “I , uh...am going to go make sure Brynmor doesn’t chop down trees or anything drastic like that.” From anyone else, I would have thought it was a jest, but with Bryn’s current mood, chopping trees down might be a very real possibility. I nodded to him, waving him off as I headed towards the table for the glass of wine I had failed to have at the Silver Stag.

  Pedr spoke next, glancing to Rhian and shifting uncomfortably where he stood, not quite certain how to respond to Brynmor’s outburst though he gallantly tried to pretend nothing had happened. He gave a little bow to Rhian, mustering up a smile. “Would you like to go sit by the pond for a little while?” He too, had been trying to reclaim what enjoyment he had been denied at the tavern, time with his betrothed.

  Rhian shook her head quickly, not even bothering to offer a smile in return. “I am tired, I plan to turn in for the night.” She said with a dismissive politeness, though her gaze slowly swept over to Ben, giving him a smile instead. I suspected it was her hope that Pedr would leave, giving her some time to sit and talk with her newest guard for awhile tonight.

  Pedr departed with a disappointed look and a murmured goodnight while Rhian’s relief with Pedr’s departure quickly turned into disappointment as Ben informed us he was going out to have a look around. Her shoulders slumped as she headed into our bedroom to shut the door with more emphasis than was required.

  I was glad for the solitude, exhausted and feeling like this day had been a week long. Had it only been this morning that I had shared lesson time with Ben and told him of the strange letter? I sat on the couch in contemplation of the events of the last two days, taking the occasional sips of my wine until the warmth and crackling of the fire luring me to the brink of slumber. My head went back on the couch and I closed my eyes, drifting off into a much needed sleep.

  I awoke a couple of hours later as a chill rippled up my spine, my head lifting to see Ben stoking the dying embers to coax a few sparks into a flame as he gently dropped another log onto the fire. He turned to look at me as I lifted my head, smirking gently. “You may sleep better in your bed, Lady Carys. The hour is late and everyone but you has retired. Lady Rhian has requested that I take her to town tomorrow. Would you like to join us, or is there anything I could pick up for you?”

  I blinked a few times as I tried to stifle a wide yawn, barely comprehending what he was asking. I nodded tiredly after thinking it over for a few seconds. “I will go along, I don’t have any pressing errands, but I have some things I could do. Thank you for the invitation.” My choice to join them stemmed more from my wish to keep an eye on my sister, though not because I distrusted Ben, I just didn’t trust her. I rose slowly from the bench, feeling rumpled and probably looking even more disheveled than I felt. “Goodnight, Ben.” I said, dipping my head to him as I headed to my room for the night.

  CHAPTER 32

  Rhian hardly stopped talking the entire trip into Lund, ignoring my presence almost entirely but for the odd frown over her shoulder towards me when I would break in with a comment as she shared her entire life story with our newest guard. He was patient, thank the gods, and let her chatter on with a good-natured smile.

  I wasn’t much in the mood for conversation, content to simply listen to Rhian and Ben, which delighted her because it meant I wouldn’t pull Ben’s attentions from her. Upon reaching Lund, she bounced from shop to shop like a hyperactive puppy, clinging to Ben’s arm like she hadn’t seen him in months. Which, in retrospect, was not all that far from the truth. She had begun a friendship with him and then largely been kept from seeing him until now, so I simply let her direct the day and followed along quietly.

  Like usual, Rhian wanted to shop for frivolous things, which suited me fine as I could get a surprising amount of things checked off my Things-To-Do list for her impending nuptials. The most amusing part was that she didn’t even realize I was doing it, and I had no plans to tell her. Asking her opinions at the flower stall, talking about her favorite colors and fabrics, and sampling cakes at the bakery made her day all the more enjoyable, and my day all the more productive.

  “What do you think of this dress, Carys?” She asked me while we were in the dress shop, holding the garment up against her front as she peered down to inspect how it might look on her. Ben stood near the door, trying his best not to look bored, but occasionally he would look over to me and smirk slightly, seeing I was trying my best not to look equally disinterested in her inane chatter. Rhian was a tireless shopper with an extraordinary stamina when it came to spending money on clothes, and I had passed my limit of tolerance three shops ago. I smirked back just as Rhian’s question permeated the air and I looked over to her. The pale blue dress was a stunning choice, the tone a perfect compliment to her light blue eyes. It was embroidered with silvery vines and flowers, and I had to admit, it was perfect for her.

  “Rhi, that dress is perfect. You would look stunning in it, and more womanly.” The girl’s figure had finally begun to fill out, and the dress’s tailoring would accentuate her budding curves nicely. “You know…”I said, keeping my tone casual though this was a cleverly calculated move. “That would make a perfect wedding dress.” Rhian’s face pinched and her nose wrinkled, much like it did any time I said the “W”-word. She frowned, turning to study her reflection in the mirror, at least appearing to give the thought some consideration. I gave Ben a quick glance, flashing him a look that commanded him to agree with me.

  His brow arched slightly before his confusion turned into amusement, coming to understand my little manipulation. “You would undoubtedly look sensational in that dress, Lady Rhian.” He said, giving her a charming smile. “Your sister is right, it would make a perfect ceremony dress. You would be the envy of every woman in Lundham.”
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br />   Her initial distrust of my opinion turned to a swift agreement when Ben shared his thoughts, my little sister giving him a shy smile.. It came as no surprise to me when she refused everything I suggested, knowing well that she refused it simply because it was my idea. By that same token, she blindly accepted everything Ben said simply because it was him making the suggestion.

  Ben snorted softly and gave me a sly look when Rhian turned away, knowing exactly what I had done and why. He added nonchalantly without me even needing to ask, “Perhaps we could pick out some jewelry for the ceremony next? Then if you desire, head to the Stag for dinner, since I recently heard there is a sample platter of delicacies that is worth trying. It can be our dinner.” He glanced back to me with a knowing look, and I gave him a small, grateful smile.

  Rhian was distracted by her reflection in the mirror, tilting her head back and forth as she evaluated her appearance, finally nodding. “Alright.” She glanced up to meet Ben’s gaze in the mirror, blushing when she saw him studying her with an appraising eye. “So you like this one?” She asked him timidly, and he gave her an encouraging nod.

  She smiled back and nodded with much more enthusiasm. “I will take it then!” She looked back at me, hesitating before asking, “Are you sure it isn’t too much?” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, shaking my head. “Do not worry about coin.” The gesture hid my surprise that she actually considered the price tag, as that little detail was usually the least of her concerns when it came to shopping. Maybe she is actually becoming a little more responsible?

  Rhian looked uncertain as we purchased the dress, though it wasn’t because she didn’t like it. I suspected she didn’t like what it signified. She remained quiet on the subject of her wedding, but thankfully didn’t argue with me about shopping for it either. I wondered if she had accepted her fate at last, though a thought niggled at the back of my mind. Would you accept this fate if our roles were reversed? I let out a little sigh, the never ending battle waging between my sense of duty and my own happiness.

  The jeweler’s shop went a little better, as she seemed to relax further with her browsing. I lingered off to the side, looking at a row of pendants while Ben helped her pick out a few pieces. The man had surprisingly good taste, something I had never expected to see in a male or a bodyguard. I couldn’t help but smile as I listened to them discuss the trinkets nearby, more than grateful for Ben’s patience.

  Rhian giggled as Ben picked out a ridiculous looking headpiece (something its creator might have tried to model after the elves) and muttered something under his breath to Rhian. “It isn’t that bad.” She murmured back to him, casting her eyes over her shoulder to me with a smirk. “I bet Carys would like it.” She teased and I rolled my eyes, heading over to look at it with a grimace. Ben chuckled softly and put it back on its stand. “I would hope your sister has better taste, Lady Rhian.” He said softly to her.

  “I would hope so too.” I whispered wryly. I shook my head lightly as I finally chuckled, murmuring diplomatically. “It...isn’t my style.” Rhian rolled her eyes and Ben snorted softly before turning back to the display table.

  Ben picked out another headpiece, a vine of delicate silver leaves with a sapphire in its center, lovely and simple, and it would compliment her dress almost perfectly. “This one.” He said with the utmost certainty. Rhian took it from him, eyes lighting up as she inspected it carefully, finally lifting it to set it on her head with a beaming smile. I knew she loved it, and not just because Ben suggested it.

  “It will match your dress perfectly, Rhi. I agree with Ben. This is the one.” I said to her, smiling. I was already picturing the whole of her wedding attire and I knew she was going to look breathtakingly beautiful. “Pedr will fall over when he sees you coming into the room, Rhi. You are going to look magnificent.” I chuckled softly, but her face fell slightly at the mention of her betrothed. She forced a smile quickly, trying to hide her dismay. She might have accepted her fate, but she certainly wasn’t happy about it.

  Ben glanced over to me, seeing what I did on Rhian’s face, but looked back to my little sister with a little smile. “Your sister is right, every woman in Lundham will wish they were you, Lady Rhian.” He said, taking the tiara off her head and handing it to me. “Let’s finish here and head to the Stag.” He ordered, causing my brow to lift.

  “And here I thought I was the noble and you were the guard.” I teased as i tried to suppress a smile, sticking my nose up in the air with an exaggerated snootiness.

  He shot me a look and a soft snort, lips twitching as he tried to suppress a smirk of his own. “Apologies, Lady Carys.” He said wryly. “Whenever you are ready, of course. I am at your service.” The mood of our lessons was always so serious, but with our growing friendship came the occasional banter, something that seemed to come as naturally as breathing.

  Rhian looked between the two of us with a puzzled look, not having expected to hear good hearted ribbing between us, her bewilderment slowly becoming a pout of envy. She huffed and plucked the headpiece from my hands to bring to the jeweler, tilting her chin up with the arrogance of an adolescent noble. “I’ll take this please.” The man gave her a friendly smile and nodded as he wrote up the sale, Rhian turning to huff again. “Carys, are you coming?” I gave her an annoyed look in response, her tone prompting me to follow her over there with the payment before she could cause a scene.

  With the sale completed, Rhian linked her arm into Ben’s while we headed up the road to the Stag, I walked behind the pair, watching them as they conversed quietly. Ben loomed over Rhian as he led her, his height and graceful, long stride almost forcing the shorter teen on his arm to quicken her pace. Her long black hair bounced as she walked, holding his arm tightly with her chin still up in the air, once again ignoring my presence. Ben, on the other hand, glanced over his shoulder to find me often with a protective gaze, making sure I was safe. Each time, I offered a smile and a nod, reassuring him that I was fine.

  Once seated in the Stag with our drinks, I ordered “The Redding Special”, or as he called it with an air of pride. It was impressive, a platter laden with samples of all sorts of spiced and honeyed meats, cheeses, and other goodies. Rhian forgot that she was ignoring me and raved about her favorites, and I took note of which she liked best. They would be her wedding feast, not that I would tell her that right now. She seemed happy just to be trying new things, and for one who had been sheltered most of her life, I couldn’t blame her.

  Ben was smirking as he listened to Rhian, saying nothing to contribute to the conversation and content to let Rhian and I do the tasting until I finally pushed the platter towards him. “There is far too much here for us to eat on our own. Have some.” He hesitated, but pierced a chunk of marinated chicken with his fork as he eyed me with a subtle grin, eyes meeting mine as if to say ‘I know exactly what you are doing, Lady Carys’. Naturally, he would know I was having Rhian picking her wedding feast, the man’s perceptive nature nearly beyond human, and I gave him a knowing look to answer his smile.

  Rhian looked pleased that he was having some, too, and pointed to the cubes of cheese, poking one with her fork to pop it into her mouth. Through her chewing, she said. “You thould have thome of theshe.” She swallowed her bite, ignoring my staring as she continued. “It’s strange how cheese tastes so different here; it’s almost better than the cheese from home.” For one still so rooted in the aristocracy of Perinthas, she had completely forgotten her manners and I tried not to cringe, though her calling Perinthas home caught my attention quickly enough.

  In looking back, I shouldn’t have been surprised by it, knowing how she had rebelled against going in the first place. For me, it hadn’t felt like home for a long time and I had forgotten how much she still clung to our old life. Thoughts of home brought a wistful look to her face, rising to her feet as her smile returned. “I am going to get some more cider. I’ll be right back.” She headed off before either Ben or myself could protest, thought neither of us sai
d a word. The counter was close by and Ben could be there in a moment if any problems arose.

  I leaned forward, setting my elbows on the table as I watched my sister go off on her own. Ben leaned over towards me, though his eyes remained firmly glued to Rhian. With an amused smile, he murmured. “You are far more manipulative than I gave you credit for, Lady Carys. How much of today’s excursion was about taking care of wedding business?”

  A slow grin appearing on my lips as I replied softly. “She refused to discuss it every time I tried. It’s not my fault I was forced to trick her into picking things.” He chuckled again, a little louder, and I added the rest of the truth. “I didn’t come along today with the intention of doing so, I was only listening for what she liked, but an opportunity presented itself and I took advantage. Thank you for going along with it, by the way. She listens to you.”

  He pulled his eyes from my sister to look at me, his nose coming within inches of mine and he murmured softly. “You are most welcome.” My heart skipped a beat with his nearness, the scent of his skin lingering as he leaned back in his chair and it took only a moment to feel flustered, my heart thudding a little harder when I decided it was a pleasant scent. My mouth went a little dry as I suddenly ran out of things to say.