A Single Spark

by Tayvia Pierce

  I sat next to her and wrapped a consoling arm around her waist while Ben took a step back, taking up a guard position a few steps away so that we could talk more privately. “Well...Rhi, with all of your fawning over Bryn and-...well, other men, and the constant running off and complaining...the refusal to plan any of your own wedding..I’m not all that surprised he got tired of fighting for your attention and affection, Rhi.”

  Rhian’s head snapped around as a dark look flashed over her features. “I’m the victim here, Carys. He left me! He broke his promise and he walked away from me.” She raised her voice a little before she sniffled and shook her head. “Nobody rejects me, Carys. Nobody! This isn’t supposed to happen.” She moaned balefully as she slumped a little lower, sniffling and silent for awhile before speaking again. “It hurts to be rejected even if I didn’t love him.” She finally whispered, and that was something I could believe.

  “Yes, it does.” I sighed softly, recalling many of my own instances of rejection and understanding her ache, though it didn’t change reality. “You are going to have to explain to Father why he left, and accept your share of the responsibility in it.” I replied back to her gently. “You keep talking about being treated like a grown up, and this is part of it. You need to admit to Father that he left because you drove him away.”

  She slumped over as a guilty look crept over her features. “I didn’t want to marry him.” She huffed defensively. “He kept treating me like a child...and he was always mad at me for something or other. He kept demanding that I act like a perfect little woman.” She muttered, her guilt becoming an angry scowl as she quickly absolved herself of all responsibility.

  “He treated you well and you never even gave him half a chance.” My tone grew firm with her, reminding her of the truth. I didn’t continue my thought, however, hearing someone coming down the path. Rhian slumped even more at the sound of footsteps, likely knowing who it was and why they were approaching with all the intensity of a thunderstorm. I turned to look, meeting Ben’s gaze for a moment before Father came onto the patio, bristling with anger.

  “Carys, Ben, out.” He barked, and I rose quickly, giving Rhian’s shoulder a quick, reassuring squeeze before rounding the benches and leaving the patio with Ben right behind me. I was heading back to where we conducted our lesson time, but Ben had other ideas. He gently took my arm and steered me down the path that led to the edge of the pond where he said firmly, “Sit.”

  My brow arched incredulously, being ordered around by my guard, but as it so happened, I wanted to sit anyways so I did, taking my place on a large rock. He sat next to me and stared out at the pond, blue-grey eyes drifting occasionally towards the patio where Father was looming intimidatingly over Rhian, who was slumped over in shame.

  “What was she like in Perinthas?” He asked softly, reaching behind me to pull my knife carefully from the back of my belt before hooking a finger into the side of my boot, tucking it back into the safety of my boot. My eyes followed his motions, allowing him to do this, though I couldn’t help but fidget restlessly as his hand brushed my leg.

  “She was really sweet.” I said quietly, eyes drifting over the lake as I turned away from him. “Very innocent and well-behaved. Everyone loved her and she was so happy. That Rhian would never have dreamed of sneaking off...never would have treated Pedr with such contempt. He would have been exactly the type of man she wanted, honestly. That Rhian is the one he fell in love with, but ever since the night Father told us we were leaving our home, she’s been upset, petty, and defiant, even though she says she likes it here.”

  I let out a tired sigh, wishing this day was over even though the sun had only come up. “I have no idea what will make her behavior better. She wants to be an adult but then she threatens to run away from home to join the gypsies...she refuses to take responsibility for anything, makes everything difficult, then screams because we don’t have any faith in her.” I let out a long, weary sigh. I reached up to rub my palms over my face tiredly.

  I could feel Ben shift beside me and he said softly. “She is very young and insecure, but I think that if Pedr truly loved her, no amount of teenage rebellion would drive him off. It is probably better this way.” His eyes were still fixed on Rhian and Father across the pond, and he added. “He likely just realized that she was human after all and not some perfect creation to be kept on the pedestal where he placed her.”

  I blinked, surprised, turning to look up at him as a brow lofted. “So you are a philosopher as well as a guard, I see.” I murmured, a tiny smile tugging at my lips. I couldn’t really disagree, though. He would have been a good match for the former Rhian, but now? “I hope you are right.” I murmured, having a feeling that Ben had hit the nail on the head where Pedr was concerned. He had always seen the world through idealistic eyes, my sister was no exception. Ben’s lip just twitched in response as he returned his gaze to the patio.

  Movement flashed as Brynmor came onto the patio, joining in their conversation. It didn’t take much intelligence to see that Brynmor was equally furious with Rhian, though he was smart enough to defer to my Father this time. The gesturing grew more animated and their voices echoed over the water, but I still couldn’t understand their words. Normally I would strain to listen in, but I had grown so tired of Rhian’s theatrics that I didn’t even care to know what was being said now.

  “Speaking of betrotheds…” He muttered beside me, his pensive expression growing stiffer. “Shouldn’t you go see yours?” He rose and extended his hand down to me to help me up, his growing disdain for my husband-to-be hardening his features.

  I blatantly ignored his hand and rose on my own, glaring back at him with a sudden animosity. “Don’t start.” I warned him in a low voice, feeling extraordinary defensive as Ben silently judged me. “You have made your thoughts on my engagement very clear and you know my hands are tied. Keep your condescending comments to yourself.” I fumed, very close to snapping; Ben’s tight look was growing even more rigid as I turned on my heel to leave him there and return to my family.

  By lunchtime, everyone in the household knew about Pedr’s departure and the anticlimactic ending of their engagement, but they were kind enough not to discuss it in Rhian’s presence, though I’m certain the gossip was voracious when we were away. She had certainly made a spectacle of her engagement, after all, so I doubted the end of it came as a surprise to anyone.

  CHAPTER 37

  My next two days were spent in Lund, canceling all the wedding planning I had just completed for Rhian, returning everything that had already been purchased. She wept when I returned the dress and jewelry we had bought at Ben’s suggestion, though as much as she begged to keep them, I was already in a foul mood and flatly refused.

  Ben trailed after me as I left the Stag, my guard pretending I hadn’t been short-tempered with him all day. I folded up the papers that Mister Redding had given me after I canceled the wedding dinner, walking quickly down the steps and back to the stables. I had a pounding headache and wanted nothing more than to go home and lock myself in my room.

  I was angry at Rhian for driving away the best chance she had for a happy life, I was angry at Pedr for giving up on her, I was angry at Ben for insisting I call off my engagement to Brynmor when I couldn’t, and I was angry at myself for being forced into giving up everything that I wanted for my life for the sake of duty.

  I didn’t want to marry Brynmor, but calling off an arranged marriage and going against Father was unthinkable. As I reached my horse, Ben came up directly behind me, placing his hands lightly on my waist in order to help me up into the saddle. A flash of warmth bloomed in my chest at his touch, though a quick breath seemed to dispel the heat that I was certain colored my cheeks. I had largely ignored him today, and now his face was hard as stone. His lips neared my ear as he murmured. “I am sorry for speaking out of turn, Lady Carys. I will keep my opinions to myself from now on.” His hands tightened around my waist as he lifted me, helping me onto Ffion.
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  I swung my leg over the saddle, finally looking down to meet his eyes to acknowledge him, barely managing to hide my surprise at his apology. I watched him swing up onto his own horse, avoiding meeting my eyes as he steered his mare around to lead me down the road. I nudged my own horse forward until I was riding next to him.

  As much as I wanted to take his apology and gloat in my victory, his opinion wasn’t really the problem. I let out a sigh and said to him. “Apology accepted, but that isn’t why I’m angry.” I said stiffly, though I was trying to relax. My head throbbed and I was debating not getting into this now, but I hated feeling at odds with him. “Express your opinion, as I do value it, but accept my answer when I give it. Throwing your disagreement in my face over and over again, particularly when I have no choice in the matter…it only makes me feel worse about having no choice.” I said with every ounce of authority I had in me.

  He bristled, staring ahead as he tried to mask the irritated huff of disapproval. Finally he turned to meet my gaze, giving a single nod. “As you wish.”

  When we arrived home, Rhian was on the couch, staring glumly at an open book settled in her lap though she wasn’t turning any pages, so I knew she wasn’t reading. I went towards the office, pulling the large bundle of paperwork from my satchel while Ben headed to the kitchen, setting a kettle on the fire. “It’s all taken care of, Rhi.” I told her as I stepped back into the sitting room, my little sister turning her head to look up to me. She slumped a little more as she sighed, twisting her fingers together in her lap.

  “Thanks, Carys.” She mumbled, closing the book that she wasn’t reading. “Why didn’t you just keep those arrangements and move your wedding up to the date I was supposed to have?” I shot her a sharp look, and she gave me an innocent shrug back. “What? You could have just gotten married sooner. Then you and Bryn can get right to making beautiful babies and being disgustingly happy.” She forced a smile, pretending she wasn’t feeling spiteful about it.

  I glanced over into the kitchen while Ben pulled the kettle off the fire and fixed two mugs of tea. “I already pushed it further back, Rhian. I thought I would wait until yours was over and you were settled in before we started planning ours. I am likely going to wait until next year.” I smiled faintly to hide the truth: I wanted to push it back to avoid it...to postpone the inevitable for as long as humanly possible.

  Ben’s head snapped up in surprise, giving me a vaguely puzzled look, though wisely kept silent as he set our tea down on the table next to us. Rhian looked confused, her brow furrowing and her nose wrinkling as she watched me, but finally nodded, taking the tea and giving a weak smile to Ben. She stared into her cup, watching the steam rise. “I’m sorry, Carys. I’m really sorry for being difficult.” Her hands wrapped around her mug as I reached out to take mine, glancing over to Ben, who took a seat at the table, watching us intently.

  “I know that uprooting from Perinthas was especially hard on you, Rhi.” I said quietly, eyes turning to watch the flames in the hearth flicker in their unpredictable dance. “You have changed so much in these last few months, but I miss the old Rhian. The innocent girl that smiled and played music and loved to shop. But you are growing up, and I know it’s hard, but I want you to be happy again.”

  Rhian was silent for a long time, occasionally sipping from her tea, though I suspected her thoughtful look was less about contemplating her own part in this debacle and more about how to avoid discussing her part in this debacle. “I wish I had been kinder to him, at least.” She said miserably. “He was a terrible match for me, but I should have been nicer.” She played with her skirts, clutching and releasing the fabric over her knee nervously.

  “Actually, I thought he made a good match for you. Or would have, if you had let him.” I said before sipping from my own tea, my gaze sweeping over to her for her reaction. “If we had still been in Taurova, you would have jumped at the chance to marry him. He was everything the old Rhian would have wanted.”

  She gave me a guilty look and shrugged. “I suppose it doesn’t matter now, does it?” She smoothed her skirts over legs and muttered. “Father is furious and says he is going to match me with someone poor and boring.” She furrowed her brow, shivering a little at the thought before rising. “I am going to go write in my journal.” She said, suddenly looking forlorn and tired. “Thank you for the tea, Ben.” She turned and gave him a little curtsy, bringing her mug with her and she headed to our room, leaving Ben and I alone.

  Ben dipped his head to Rhian, not smiling, though his features had lost the hardened edge they had carried earlier. The moment the door shut, his eyes returned to me, giving me a direct look. “You are postponing your wedding.” He stated flatly. In truth, I wasn’t sure if he was annoyed or happy, but the sudden need to defend myself and my choice was nearly overwhelming. I had to remind myself that I did not answer to him, but I couldn’t help feeling like I should explain my decision.

  “Yes.” I answered shortly, struggling against the verbal barrage that was sure to come, should I fail to restrain myself. I had come up with tidy reasons as to why pushing the wedding off for at least a year would be a good decision, and while those excuses would easily be accepted by my family, Ben would know better simply because he had an irritating way of seeing beyond my pretexts.

  His jaw tightened before his lips parted, about to ask why, but the front door blew open and Brynmor swaggered in. Of all the worst possible people to come in at that moment...I sighed, really not wanting to discuss my wedding postponement with Ben in the presence of Brynmor. I hadn’t yet told my betrothed of my decision to push it back, and this was definitely not the time to do so. I cringed inwardly, praying to any gods listening that Ben would keep his mouth shut.

  Brynmor looked at me, then he frowned warily to Ben as he could sense the rising tension in the room. “Is Rhian here?” He asked cautiously, eyes flicking between us before he headed towards our bedroom door without letting us answer, pounding his hand on the door several times.

  “She’s in there.” I confirmed quietly, though I doubted he even heard me speak. Rhian’s muffled answer through the door was the only sound he seemed to hear, and he disappeared into the room, the muted sounds of their quiet conversation permeating the awkward silence that hung between Ben and I in the main room.

  We stared at each other, my heart thudding in my chest as I awaited his inevitable question. “Why?” Ben finally asked in a clipped voice, and again, I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Was he surprised? Angry? Happy? It was infuriating; the man was so difficult to read and predict. How was it he could read me so easily but I couldn’t even understand the simplest of his emotions?

  I didn’t answer, a wave of defiance holding my tongue as my chin tilted upwards. “I have my reasons.” I said hotly. Ben’s eyes narrowed as he stepped towards me, looming over me though I was not so easily intimidated. At least, not that I would ever let on to him.

  Brynmor’s voice suddenly penetrated the doors and walls as he barked. “She what?!” I cringed, cursing Rhian and all her descendants as I realized she had just told Brynmor what I had done. The bedroom door flew open as Brynmor stomped back out, glaring at me. He didn’t care (or maybe he just didn’t notice) that Rhian followed him out to watch this spectacle with an all too attentive look, nor did he seem to care that Ben loomed over me, standing far closer than my future husband might have deemed appropriate.

  “You pushed it back. Again.” He said flatly. Ben shifted his weight, stepping back slightly in surprise as I began to turn, catching Ben’s confused look as he realized not only had I already pushed it back once, but now again, and I hadn’t told Brynmor of my decision. I could see the wheels begin to turn, Ben’s confusion becoming curiosity as his blue grey eyes watched me intently. I turned to face the discordant music as Brynmor fumed. “I accepted your excuse last time, but that reason no longer exists, so what could possibly be your justification this time?” He growled at me, staring me down.

 
I just sighed. “I will not have this conversation in front of an audience.” I stated, tilting my chin upwards, trying to maintain my pride in this horribly awkward moment. Rhian’s lips pursed into a pout, clearly wanting to watch us fight. She turned and headed back into our room, pulling the door shut behind her while Ben strode from the room, pausing only for a split second in front of me to give me a pointed look as if to say ‘Our conversation isn’t over yet’ before leaving the house for his patrol of the yard.

  Brynmor and I were alone and I released the breath I just now realized I was holding. Brynmor still scowled at me, crossing his arms over his chest as he awaited my explanation, so I finally gave him one. “Because of Rhian. Because she loves you but you are marrying me and it’s difficult for her. And now, because Rhian’s fiance just dumped her and fled, and because I’m tired of wedding planning and wedding undoing and it feels like life has been one catastrophe after another and I want things to settle down so that I can actually enjoy this.”