Mage Confusion (Book 1)

by Virginia G. McMorrow

  “I guess she really doesn't want us traveling with her.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  With the excuse of giving Elena a head start, we arrived in Ardenna three days later. Not far from the residence of Firemage Ravess, we took a small room in a quiet, nondescript inn.

  “He doesn't know me. There's no reason I can't go with you.” Anders paced back and forth in the neat, sparsely furnished room as I unpacked some clean clothes to ease the wrinkles from them.

  “I'd rather he didn't know you. Let him believe I'm alone and pathetic.” I grinned at Anders' immediate frown. “Seriously, I'd rather have the security of knowing you're out there if I need you. I'll be fine.”

  “He's vicious.”

  “So am I when I need to be.”

  “That's true.” I reached for my cloak and gloves as Anders reached for me. “I'd rather you weren't vicious with me.”

  “Then behave, old man.”

  “Promise you'll be careful.”

  “Yes. Of course.” I flung my cloak around my shoulders.

  “Alex.” He gripped my shoulders and shook me with gentle firmness. “I'm serious. He's dangerous.”

  “I know.” As Anders pulled me close for a kiss, I shoved aside the hesitation and doubt clamoring for attention. “I'll be all right.” I wrapped my arms around his warm neck.

  “Then why are you shaking?”

  “I'm not an idiot, despite what Elena thinks. He terrifies me.”

  “Good. I was starting to think your head was empty.” He grabbed the cloak I tossed his way. “Let's go.”

  We reached the firemage's residence without incident. The house loomed ahead, darkened but for the lamp in the study at the back. The same room where I found him the last time. I fidgeted as Anders worried the lock free, and then slipped inside after he squeezed my fingers. Waiting at the entrance until my eyes adjusted to the shadows, I focused on the dim light at the end of the long, wide hallway. Assuming that's where he'd be, though we couldn't see him from the outside, I started forward, instinct on edge. Creeping with measured slowness, I kept my arms close to my sides, fearful of entangling them in unseen objects along the corridor. Thick carpeting muffled the creak of my steps. Almost there, I halted to catch my breath and quiet the pounding of my heart. From my vantage, I couldn't see or hear anything or anyone in the study.

  I edged closer. Another step. Still no sound. Another step.

  Wincing as the floorboard creaked, I held my breath, and then flew across the room as a strong arm whisked me through the narrow doorway. Fumbling to get my bearings, I stopped immediately at the icy touch of steel on my exposed throat.

  Firemage Ravess brought the lamp in his hand closer to peer at my face, gasping in surprise. “Orphan child. I'm not surprised you're a thief, needing to steal to keep up with your betters, but I thought for certain you'd have expert skills.” With a look of contempt, he added, “How often did Elena catch you robbing from her? Or did she turn away from the truth out of pity?”

  I held my peace, the dagger still at my throat.

  He stepped back and jerked me upright, throwing me backward into a chair. Dagger held ready, he waved his arms around the shadowed study. “What did you plan to steal from me?” Contempt flashed again in deep, lush brown eyes which had no place in his malevolent face. “Or were you spying for your royal mistress? That makes more sense. She always knew how to use you, while you scampered after her, lapping up the crumbs of friendship she tossed over her shoulder.” He set the lamp down, increasing the flame's brightness without any obvious gesture, and ran his finger along the dagger's edge. “Apparently, she still does.” Catching me off guard, he immobilized my arms by sheer brute strength and held the dagger against my throat once more. “Although I’m curious, I'd rather you told me why you're here, instead of wasting my time with guessing games.”

  I kept my face neutral, allowing a hint of bitterness and anger to seep through, my heart aching at how easy it was. “I came to give you news.”

  “How commendable.” The dagger drew a thin trickle of blood along the side of my neck. “Don't waste my time. Tell me the truth.”

  Refusing to flinch from the pain, I didn't back down, though I wanted to strangle him. “She thinks one of the Crown Council is the Crownmage.”

  Brown eyes glittered with danger in the lamplight. “Old news.” The dagger moved again, sending a thin stream of fresh blood down my collar.

  I feigned distress, but was relieved Jules managed to spread the rumor. “How could you possibly know that? She's told no one.”

  “You trust her? You're a bigger fool than I thought.” He trailed the dagger along a bit further. “My sources are my secret. What else?”

  Restraining the urge to rip out his heart, I started to tremble, not difficult to pretend with cold steel threatening. “That's all I know.”

  “Not good enough, orphan child. Why are you really here?”

  With no effort at all, which shamed me, I released all the bitterness and anger I'd held inside. “You were right about her, what you said that day in the corridor, what you said tonight.” Tears came easily, too, along with contempt to mirror his ugly emotion. “I don't owe her anything.” I laughed a little wildly. “She talks in front of me as though I'm not even there. I never saw it before.” I looked away, unable to turn too far with the dagger poised at my neck. “I never wanted to.” I cried out as the dagger drew blood once more.

  “And what do you want from me?”

  I shook my head once. “Vengeance. But it's useless. You already know what I came to tell you.”

  “You want nothing more?” His tone was seductive; his white hair an eerie sight beneath the lamp's flickering light. “I don't trust you for a moment, but I'd be willing to hear more news if it isn't old. If one of the Council is the Crownmage—” The control on his expression slipped, quickly masked in icy contempt as he sighed. “So many enemies. And you, orphan child, just discovering yours.”

  “I was a fool.”

  The firemage regarded me with a steady gaze. “Perhaps.” Removing the dagger from its bloody trail along my neck, he stood back. “Go now. I've no more time or patience to trifle with you.”

  It wasn't necessary to hide my relief. “If I hear anything of use—”

  “If you have more news, and if that news is not so old, then send word. If not, keep away from me. I've no time to spare for pathetic fools seeking vengeance.” With an absent gesture toward the lamp, he caused the flames to rise higher, dispelling the gloom from the shadowed corners. “Now go.”

  I fled at the dismissal and said nothing to Anders until we were safe in our room at the inn.

  “Let me see what he's done to your neck. Bloody bastard.” With gentle fingers, controlling his anger, Anders loosened the stiff collar of the tunic. He apologized as I flinched when the material pulled free of my skin.

  I gathered my hair out of his way as he snarled another curse. “Hush. You'll wake the entire inn.”

  He helped me ease the tunic over my head, eyes darkening at sight of the bloodied collar. “I'll get some water. Sit down.”

  Obedient, I sat on the bed, stained tunic thrown aside, shivering in the chilled room. I crossed my arms for warmth as Anders gathered fresh water and a clean cloth.

  “I've no healing salves,” he muttered, kneeling in front of me, pushing my hair back and over my shoulders.

  “If it were poisoned, I'd be feeling the effects by now.”

  “I don't trust him.” Though his words were harsh, his touch was gentle, holding me still when I winced and pulled away. “Sorry, again.”

  “If it doesn't look any better in the morning, we'll find a healer for some salve. Besides, it's almost dawn anyway.”

  “Even if it looks better, we'll find a healer.”

  “Anders.”

  “What?” Near-black eyes dared me to challenge him.

  “I'm all right.”

  Anders sat back on his heels and closed his ey
es. When I touched his arm, he stared at me for a long, silent moment. “I haven't cared for anyone in a very long time, Alex. And I'm afraid. I don't want anything to happen to you. Not for your mother's sake, but for mine. And this,” he touched my neck with care, “is proof I didn't protect you as I promised Elena I would.”

  “If I felt I was in serious danger, I'd have shouted my head off and the hell with Elena's noble cause.” I traced the rough stubble of his cheek.

  “I know. Still—”

  “Still.” I leaned over to kiss him. “If you feel that guilty, then I suggest you make amends.”

  “When we get home?”

  “You’re not serious.”

  * * * *

  “Before we go back to the cottage, humor me.” Anders turned his horse toward the coast, in the direction of the seawall just outside the town. “The timing’s about right.”

  “For what?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Biting back questions and snide comments, I helped Anders settle our horses off the road and followed him toward the center of town, straight for the mage council hall. What was he up to? Anders propped himself on the seawall and held me in his arms, my back to the building. Still, I didn’t question him though I had an uneasy suspicion his plan involved Seamage Neal Brandt. No sooner did I arrive at that conclusion, I heard the sounds of children running, free of their mage lessons.

  “Perfect timing. I told you so.”

  I arched one brow in silent query, but never had the chance to speak. Anders drew my head closer for a passionate kiss that left me breathless. Starting to push him away so I could catch a breath and still my pounding heart, I changed my mind as the sound of footsteps approached.

  “Your mother was a whore, too, Mistress Keltie.”

  I bit back rage and turned, held loosely in Anders’ embrace, though his fingers made a point of digging into the soft flesh of my arms.

  “Did Master Perrin tell you he slept with her when your father wasn’t around to keep her faithful?”

  “As a matter of fact, Seamage Brandt,” I smiled with mock friendliness, “he told me she slept with every eligible man in Port Alain, but you. Somehow, she couldn’t quite lower herself to your level.”

  “That’s not how I remember it.” Brandt looked beyond me. “Seems you got what you came for, Master Perrin. I hope she’s skilled in bed. She’s not skilled at much else, including magic.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. She makes a decent schoolmistress. The children apparently adore her.”

  “If you consider children a reliable source of opinion.” Brandt shrugged. “They’re easily swayed.”

  “I should know,” I said with bitterness, caught by a dangerous idea. “I was swayed by Elena.” I started to push away from Anders’ embrace, but he grabbed my waist. “What? Isn’t it true?” I snarled at him. “All these years, I thought she was my friend. All these years, I—” Choking back a sob, I freed myself, avoiding Anders’ frantic reach.

  “I thought you were a loyal supporter of our queen,” Brandt said quietly, stepping directly into my path.

  “Loyalty to the crown doesn’t always mean loyalty to the person wearing it,” I snapped, face flushed with rising anger. “I’m tired of being naïve. I’m tired of being used.” Storming past the seamage, I ignored Anders’ loud plea for me to stop. I headed along the path that would take me home, not daring to walk toward the spot where we’d tethered our mounts.

  “Alex… Alex, wait!” Anders came running after me, grabbed my arm, and spun me around, planting a loud enthusiastic kiss on my lips. “You are magnificent,” he murmured, careful to keep his voice low.

  “In bed?”

  He laughed, hugging me close. “That goes without saying. I was, however, talking about your little performance in front of the seamage. You might consider teaching the children some play acting.”

  “Considering you didn’t have the decency to warn me what you were planning, we were lucky.”

  “Nor did you warn me.” Anders hugged me again, voice somber. “Though I’d rather Elena didn’t know how easy it is for you to convince people you resent her.”

  I stepped back from his embrace, mindful Seamage Brandt might still be in the vicinity. “It bothered me how easy it was to persuade Firemage Ravess, too.” Admitting that uncomfortable truth, I rested my head on his chest. “I don’t believe it, Anders, but when I’m vulnerable I find it frightening. What if someone uses it against me?”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “It seems as though that sea captain in Port Alain better look elsewhere.”

  I refused to acknowledge Khrista’s self-satisfied, smug, nasty comment. Too bad my face didn’t agree. I felt a hot flush creep up from my neck. Ever one to take advantage, much like her brother, Khrista snickered at my discomfort as she stood in the schoolroom doorway with Lauryn beside her.

  “Your mother always said vengeance isn’t attractive.”

  Khrista laughed. “You don’t think I listen to her, do you?”

  “Maybe she’ll listen to you,” I muttered to Lauryn, whose clear blue eyes looked apologetic, but no less amused.

  “Sorry, Alex. If I defend you, Khrista will make my life miserable.”

  “So you’ll forgo your kind, gentle, and discreet nature to join in with her snide, ill-mannered insults?” I tossed a book to the opposite end of the table.

  “Of course not. I’ll just remain neutral.”

  I muttered an eloquent answer beneath my breath, and Lauryn made a mumbled attempt at an apology before clearing her throat with exaggerated delicacy and fixing me with a pointed stare. “Ah, Alex,” she hesitated, as Khrista elbowed her, “we were wondering what’s going on.”

  “With Anders?”

  “We’re quite aware what’s going on with him. At least when you’re alone.”

  “I used to like you.”

  “You still do.” Lauryn pushed on. “But we were wondering what’s going on with Elena.” She stopped as I narrowed my eyes, misinterpreting her words.

  “What Lauryn’s trying to say,” Khrista cut in before I could utter a word, “is that you go running off to Ardenna with Master Perrin to see Elena without telling us a thing beyond the fact you’re going. Then you return with that same Master Perrin wrapped around your finger. Then Elena arrives in the middle of the night, and you go running off again.”

  I raised a brow at Khrista’s admission. Lauryn had the decency to blush, but jumped to her sister-in-law’s defense. Clarifying the fact Jules wasn’t always a flaming idiot. “Jules told me. We weren’t spying. And we saw Elena before you left that morning.”

  “Did Jules tell you why she came?”

  “He said it was your decision to tell us if you wanted to.” Lauryn’s meek reply was balanced by the spark of defiance in her eyes. “But as I’m the wife of Duke Barlow, I have the authority to pressure you.”

  I studied the two of them, curious and wide-eyed as the twins. No—worse. “Not a word to Kerrie or Brendan.”

  “Of course not,” they said in tandem.

  “Then come in and shut the door.”

  * * * *

  “I’m still Alex.” Ill at ease, I frowned at their utter and complete stunned silence, not knowing what to say.

  Lauryn knew I’d had mage talent, just not quite what kind. She spoke first, blue eyes thoughtful. “That explains why Seamage Brandt was so friendly yesterday. A bit too friendly, if you know what I mean, though he did make some snide comments.”

  “We’ve been discreet.”

  “He called you a whore, Alex,” Lauryn blurted out, looking ready to go after the seamage. “I assume you weren’t completely discreet.”

  “That was Anders’ idea.” I laughed and told them about our little drama. “We were trying to convince Brandt Anders is only interested in sleeping with me.”

  “Seems you convinced him, though he’s still slippery when it comes to your long-ago magery.”

  “I haven’t flashed l
ightning across the harbor, so I don’t know why he’s still sniffing along on that trail.”

  “Maybe he knows something about your father,” Lauryn said quietly, having heard that part of the tale from Rosanna.

  “Maybe.” I shrugged and turned away, fidgeting with the books I’d thrown aside. “That’s not important now.”

  “It is if it bothers you so much.”

  “It doesn’t. Besides, I’m part of Rosanna’s family. No need to seek elsewhere for what I already have, right?” As long as I didn’t look at Lauryn, I was safe.

  Khrista hugged me tight. “You never need to go elsewhere. I’d get rid of my brother long before that happened.”

  “If only I could change him into a jackass, it’d make all my training worthwhile.” Elena was right. I was doing it again, making light of my heartaches, treating them as mere inconveniences while they ripped me apart.

  “I could think of worse fates for my poor husband, but Khrista’s right. I’ve been telling you so all along. So has everyone else.” Lauryn caught my eye, and I knew she saw right through my ploy. Lords of the sea, did they all see through me? “I hope Elena won’t need your help,” she added, helping me straighten out the books.

  “Neither do I, but if she does, she’ll pay handsomely for it.”

  Khrista propped a slender leg on the bench beside her. “What if the Crownmage appears and allies with the Ardenna Crown Council?”

  “I don’t even want to think about it. And neither does Elena, because she knows she’ll never find me. I’ll be long gone from Port Alain.”

  “Seriously, Alex.” Lauryn squeezed my arm. “What would you do?”

  “The best I can, and hope that it’s enough.”

  “With Anders teaching you a trick or two, you’ll be well prepared for anything, day or night,” Khrista teased, heading for the door.

  I tossed a book at her head as she scurried out, missing her completely. “Some days, she’s as bad as her brother, or mother, for that matter.”

  “She doesn’t even come close when Jules is being obnoxious.” Lauryn picked up the book I’d flung at Khrista, a wistfulness in her tone I couldn’t ignore. She straightened out a folded page and set the book in its place on the table, surprising me by initiating the troubling topic. “He runs the very moment she breathes his name.”