A Single Spark

by Tayvia Pierce

  CHAPTER 34

  My life finally seemed to find some balance as our household settled into a routine over the next two weeks. Madox, Brynmor, and Ben now shared the responsibilities of our family’s guardianship while Brynmor’s disdain for Ben and his unwillingness to work alongside the man eased, albeit begrudgingly. He remained distrustful, though, generally speaking, Brynmor’s mood was sour even without Ben’s presence, though he wouldn’t say why.

  Madox, on the other hand, got along well enough with Ben, though I think Madox was the most amiable person I knew and could get along with just about anyone. While they would never be the closest of friends, they were civil enough. The three guards settled into their duties and life returned to normal.

  Rhian’s instruction in self defense lasted all of a week before she started to complain about it being boring and instead, used her lesson time as walk-around-the-pond time, linking her arm in Ben’s and leaning against him as though out for a romantic stroll. Pedr, embarrassed at his bride-to-be’s behavior with the other man, finally pulled her away to talk alone. They must have had quite the discussion, for when they returned, everyone saw she had been crying and she locked herself in our room for two days.

  But her antics aside, it was a relief to have the dust settle a bit and I returned to organizing my sister’s wedding. By mid-month, the majority of it was done and arranged, and I found myself with an evening with no pressing matters to attend to. I can actually sit down with a goblet of wine and read, maybe even have a hot bath. I was excited at the prospect of having time to myself for a change but, as is often the case, I was cheated from my relaxing night.

  It just so happened to be the evening that Father chose to turn everyone’s lives upside down yet again. We had barely finished eating dinner when he gruffly announced that he had something to say. Derryth suddenly moved much faster than a woman of her years should be able to, clearing the dishes and getting out of the way. Whether she already knew what the announcement was or not, I never learned, but she knew my father well enough to know when it was time to make herself scarce, and that moment was it.

  Father cleared his throat as we all looked up expectantly, awaiting his announcement. It turned out the be the very last thing I expected, not to mention the most unwelcome. “Carys, I have come to a decision. I have spoken with Brynmor and you and he will marry in three months time.”

  The ground seemed to drop out from beneath my feet with his statement, the air growing thick around me to mute all sound and sensation except for an icy needle that pricked in my chest. The cold seed of dismay slowly spread outward, winding its way through my arms and legs as time came to a standstill. He cannot be serious. He can’t!

  The next minute seemed an eternity, spent in surreal disbelief as my mind tried to wrap itself around the fact that Father had just arranged my marriage, and to Brynmor, no less. I saw Ben bristling behind Father, his normally neutral features tightening as his eyes found mine. Iolyn’s shock wore off and gave Brynmor a hearty slap on his shoulder, offering us both a hearty congratulations. Rhian’s reaction was the complete opposite to our brother’s, her face crumpling a little in unhappiness. Brynmor moved past her to take a place at my side, trying to smile happily at me though it looked tight.

  “Wait….what?” I finally said hoarsely, the ice in my veins suddenly turning to fire. Why hadn’t he told me this in private? He just made the choice for me? And announcing it in front of everyone? I could only stare at Father as I did my best to mask my anger and he gave me a warning look back before smiling. He had done this on purpose, knowing that I would fight against the idea of marrying Brynmor, but by doing this in front of everyone I would not make a scene. How dare he!

  My breath caught as he repeated himself a little more loudly, speaking as though I must suffer from a hearing impairment. “You two are now betrothed. I know he is not a nobleman, but he is a good man and will treat you well. Congratulations!” He said with a false joviality, reaching for the bottle of wine to pour for everyone, Derryth suddenly appearing with a tray of goblets and sweets as she grinned merrily, trying to bolster the good mood that should be present when such things are announced.

  I was in a daze, and have no memory of taking my goblet and the toast that followed. Somehow I must have managed to look slightly happy (or at least accepting of my fate) and Brynmor wrapped an arm around my shoulder and planted a light kiss on my cheek. It felt strange, my friendship with our guard suddenly propelled to a new level without any warning, and I was left with a sick uncertainty in how to act. Do your duty, the unwelcome little voice in my head reminded me.

  Slowly my senses returned and I glanced around at the others in the house. Brynmor looked like he was starting to settle in a little more, though that might be aided by the goblets of wine he had consumed. He was smiling and joking around as he always did, but every time he looked at me, his eyes reflected his poorly hidden dismay at this whole situation. This explains the foul mood Bryn has been in for the last few weeks.

  Rhian sat slumped over, picking at the dessert on her plate and looking downright miserable, Pedr next to her, looking between her and Bryn and finally just stared at the hearth looking tired. Iolyn seemed thrilled, often saying, “Bryn’s like family already, might as well make it official!” He was definitely drunk. Madox looked like he always looked, thoughts carefully veiled, though he directed an apologetic glance to me occasionally, and Ben looked irritable, sitting stiffly across from me with his blue grey eyes fixed on me as though trying to bore a hole in my head with his gaze.

  I drained my goblet with more speed than is proper for a lady, and held it out for a refill which Ben seemed more than happy to provide me, filling my goblet nearly to the brim. The conversation around the table dimmed as I withdrew into my own thoughts. How could he marry me to Bryn? Not that he wasn’t a good man, but I desired to marry someone out of love, not duty, and if duty was to be forced upon me, I should be bound to someone of my own station. But Brynmor? Father was marrying me to a guard, a commoner by birth, just to have me married off. I was livid, not even able to sort through the mess of thoughts stampeding through my mind.

  Iolyn’s grip on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts. Ben still sat directly across from me, watching me as his jaw worked tightly, Iolyn’s jovial laughter in stark contrast to our newest guard’s mood. I rose to my feet before I even realized I was doing so, an overwhelming urge to flee moving my legs for me. “I’m tired and going to turn in for the night.” I spoke to nobody in particular, trying to hide the wobble in my voice. I took my still full goblet with me and headed to my room, ignoring the surprised looks of everyone else.

  I crawled into my bed, not even bothering to undress, just pulled my blankets up and over my head. I wanted to scream...to cry...to yell at the gods for the unfairness of this whole situation. We had left Taurova and their customs behind. I knew we would never marry nobility, but I thought it meant we could marry for love, yet here I found myself in the worst scenario. Arranged to marry a commoner I didn’t love.

  I knew Father’s primary concern was always to find a husband who would be good to me, and Brynmor would even if we didn’t love each other. Do your duty. We were friends, at least, so I tried desperately to believe it would all be alright. It desperately needs to be alright. Eventually I drifted into a restless, dream-filled sleep.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  I awoke with a start hours later to a silent house, everyone else having gone to bed. As much as I tried to fall back asleep, it evaded me, the torrent of thoughts and emotions not permitting it. I was betrothed...the idea of it seemed so foreign and surreal. Bryn will be my husband. The room felt like it was closing in on me, crushing me on all sides until I couldn’t breathe, and I had to get out. Get out, now!

  I was out the door and into the yard before another thought entered my head, my bare feet carrying me towards the benches at the pond. I dropped onto one and buried my face in my hands, fingers gliding upward to tangle in my hai
r as I tried to collect myself. An owl hooted gently in the tree above me, feathers ruffling as it’s black eyes watched over me, calling its soothing consolation.

  I didn’t even realize how chilly the night air was until I slowly began to calm, chills rippling up my legs and backside from the frigid stone, only now realizing I was barefoot. I frowned, mentally scolding myself for being so foolish, but the voice behind me took over quickly enough.

  “The night is cold, Lady Carys. You should not be out here without a coat.” A thick fur was being set around my shoulders, its warmth already beginning to seep into me as I looked up to see Ben frowning down at me. A frown that deepened when he saw my toes poking out from under my skirt. “....or shoes.” He sighed and gave me an annoyed look.

  I was already overwhelmed with my own poor mood, and was not in the proper frame of mind to defend myself against his annoyance. “I know. I wasn’t thinking, I just wanted to get out of the house and get some air.” I said defensively, eying him and his hardening features. I had seen the look on his face at the announcement of our betrothal, his clear disapproval written on every part of his visage. I knew this was about to be an argument and I didn’t want to do this right now.

  “You shouldn’t marry him.” He grunted softly as he took a seat on the bench next to me, looking down to my bare feet with an annoyed look. I pulled the fur wrap around me a little tighter, the lining already warmed and I knew he had given me his own fur.

  How could I tell him that I agreed and still fulfill my duty to my Father and my family? I defended my Father and his decision, though in retrospect, I wish I had said something else.

  “The decision has been made and I will do my duty. I will marry Brynmor.” Even if it kills me, I wanted to add. And I thought it really might kill me, as my future suddenly lay before me like a barren wasteland. There was no life...no growth...no freedom. I felt like I was suffocating all over again and instinctively took a deep breath, trying to fill my lungs.

  Ben’s jaw tightened again, his brow furrowing as he could sense my distress, though he did little but sit stiffly beside me. “You are an adult, Carys, and you can make your own choices. Especially in something like this. Marry a man of your own choosing.” He said tightly, his tone and words bringing my eyes up in search of his. He was staring out at the pond, and I could feel some faint emotion emanating from him. Envy? No, that couldn’t be it. He turned to look at me with a guarded gaze and he said again, more sternly this time. “Do not marry him.”

  He was my guard, my teacher, and my friend, and of all the reactions to my engagement from my family, his was the most perplexing to me. His insistence that I disobey the wishes of my Father went completely against his duties as a guard, and yet as my friend, he persisted that I defy him.

  “Why do you care?” I finally asked, bewildered. “You are not the one marrying him, and for all we know, you are going to be gone in a few months and we will never see you again.” I said, growing more annoyed, and not sure why. His approval was important to me, and I felt a strange desire to earn it in this as much as in our lessons, but my hands were tied and it hurt.

  Resentment flashed in his eyes and he growled lowly. “Because he isn’t good enough for you.” It was the simplest of answers, but unexpected from him. He knew what happened amongst nobility, that marriages were not based on much more than securing the bloodline’s future.

  I looked up to Ben, a weary look in my eyes. “And yet, he is all I have.” I barked a harsh laugh, dismay rearing its ugly head with the realization that I had no prospects. I had no hope for a future alone, and as much as I didn’t want to marry Brynmor, I had no choice. I stared bleakly out over the pond as the moon reflected off the still waters, somehow managing not to cry. My future looked so grim and I didn’t know what to do to fix it. A chill ran up from my feet to my shoulders and I shivered, despite the warmth of his cloak around me.

  He rose, reaching down to gently grip my upper arm through the fur he gave me and pulled me up. “You need sleep.” He grunted at me, sounding both annoying and gentle at the same time. I didn’t resist, my usual willful defiance giving way to my exhaustion. I wanted to argue, but I had nothing left to argue with. Wordlessly, he scooped me up into his arms so I wouldn’t have to walk back barefoot, not setting me back down until we found the warmth of the cottage.

  I managed a faint smile to him, thanking him softly, though his look was grim as he muttered “You’re welcome.” I wanted to explain...to tell him how this was the farthest thing from what I wanted, but I couldn’t admit that he was right without causing further problems. I had to be the example to my sister in accepting her own unwelcome arranged marriage, and any insurrection on my part would only encourage her further in her own. Do your duty...Duty. It was a very heavy mantle right now, and I sighed tiredly.

  “Go to sleep, Lady Carys.” He growled softly, taking my shoulders in his hands to direct me toward my bedroom door before he released me, turning to vanish back outside murmuring. “I must finish my patrol and will return shortly.” I watched him head back through the yard through the large front window, suddenly feeling like I had just failed him.

  CHAPTER 35

  The next week, I spent holed up in my room. Not the best start to my engagement and impending marriage, but I could barely think about my own wedding in light of everything else. So many little things seemed to be piling up around me and with this latest life-changing announcement, I was barely holding my head above water. I made the excuse of doing my own wedding preparation, but in truth, I found myself staring blankly at the wall.

  Everyone was miserable but pretending to be happy, as having two upcoming weddings was supposed to be a joyous affair, but in reality it just felt awkward. Rhian’s wedding date was fast approaching and she was miserable and increasingly desperate, begging me to allow her to push it off for another month.

  She tried suggesting we have a double wedding, but I had to put my foot down and insist that we didn’t. For all I knew, she would find a way to end up married to Brynmor and I would be with Pedr. For Rhian, it was the best case scenario, but for me, the worst. It wouldn’t be all bad, except for the part where I ended up married to someone who was even less my type than Bryn. At least our bloodline would have a solid future in aristocracy, I thought dismally.

  It was a sunny autumn day when Rhian, Brynmor, Ben, and I rode at an easy pace towards Lund, not surprised when another group of travelers on sleek horses passed us by, murmuring a greeting to us as they rode by us. “Good afternoon.” The tallest one said, dipping his hooded head, the two others behind him following suit. Their accent was unique to their people as was the musical tone of their voices, and the single glance towards them as I peered beneath their hoods confirmed their race. Elves.

  I blinked in astonishment at suddenly finding three of their kind in such close proximity. I knew they existed in this world, but they were a people that almost entirely kept to themselves and vigilantly guarded their own lands, the rumors of them killing trespassers heard all the way in Taurova. There were other tales of elves occasionally leaving their borders on their own grand errands, but it was so rare that to see them outside their own lands that their existence was oft considered a myth by lesser educated men.

  Their ethereal appearance was striking as they slowly passed us, being taller than men (even the female), and their bearing strong and graceful. Their skin was bronzed with a faint shimmer of green (a look common amongst the wood elves, as I had once read), and almost seemed luminescent in the sunlight, their eyes nearly glowing with their own internal light. Their clothing was not what I had expected, looking almost like any other traveler we might pass along the road, made to blend in among humans. They smiled lightly to us as they urged their taller horses past us.

  Rhian squeaked in surprise when she realized we were in the presence of elves, and she blushed and murmured, giving a shy wave. “Hello.” The female among them smiled in amusement at my sister’s reaction, dipping her h
ead to Rhian and Brynmor, then turned her golden eyes to Ben and myself as they passed by.

  I smiled, looking far more calm about being acknowledged by the elves than I felt, and dipped my head in return. I felt unworthy of being in their presence, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to get a close up look at the Elven folk...Something so few in humankind had ever done. She dipped her head to me and smiled in return, her metallic eyes looking to Ben who was decidedly not looking at her. He doesn’t like elves?

  My brow arched in surprise, since the rest of our eyes were glued to the other riders and it seemed like he was ignoring them entirely. Maybe he just didn’t realize who they are. A moment later, he finally turned to look, dipping his head faintly as though acknowledging them only to avoid being overtly rude.

  I wasn’t sure what I saw in the split second that her smile hitched, though she made no comment as the trio finally moved ahead of us, approaching the gates to Lund a few minutes before us.

  “What are elves doing in Lundham?” I whispered to Ben, who’s neutral gaze was still fixed on them some distance ahead of us. His jaw was tight, his eyes cold as his lips pressed together while he formulated an answer but before he could speak, Rhian’s excited chatter filled the air around us.