Fabian smiled and took a long drink of wine. Heaving a deep sigh he leaned back to rest his feet up on the edge of the balustrade.
‘I’m glad that’s over.’
Mistral glanced up at him, ‘The Council Contract?’
‘No, asking you to marry me. I’ve been dreading it for days.’
Mistral burst out laughing, ‘Why? I wouldn’t have refused you!’
Fabian sighed and stroked her hair lazily, ‘I didn’t think you would like the idea of being tied to me for the rest of your life. You’re too much of a free spirit.’
‘I’m already tied to you.’ Mistral muttered and gazed broodingly out at the darkening sky. ‘And as for being a free spirit, there’s nothing free about me. I’m trapped by my stupid destiny to a gift I can’t even master. Another set of shackles really won’t make much difference.’
Fabian’s hand stilled on her hair, ‘That was another reason why I knew I had to marry you. I want to free you from your destiny.’
Hope flared in Mistral and promptly died again, ‘I know you’re not talking about me being allowed to give up on Sight once I’m married are you?’
‘A thousand times, no, we are not giving up on you mastering Sight.’ Fabian sighed a touch wearily. ‘However, if I were no longer around to care for you then the De Winter name would serve you well. It has certain benefits –’
‘Wait a minute.’ Mistral interrupted, sitting up sharply to turn and face him. ‘Firstly and most importantly, I don’t need caring for. Secondly, I don’t like the sound of you not being around. Why the hell wouldn’t you be around? Where are you going? And thirdly, if you think I’m going to use your family name like some sort of bartering system you can forget it! I do have some pride you know Fabian!’
‘Some would be an understatement.’ Fabian murmured, tracing the hard ridge of her clenched jaw with one finger.
‘Don’t try and distract me!’ Mistral snapped, already struggling to remain angry.
Fabian sighed and reached out to pull her back onto his lap. She resisted half-heartedly then gave in with an exasperated sigh.
‘Why can I never stay mad at you?’
‘Because I love you. Now please listen to me Mistral. I want you to understand my reasons and then I am going to ask you to promise me what I ask.
‘We know the work we do is dangerous. All warriors wonder if their next Contract may be their last. If I were to be killed I would want you to be free of that life. I know it’s in your blood and I’m not trying to change who you are, but if you had my name you wouldn’t have to work, or at the very least be free to choose the Contracts you took.’
Fabian paused and took a deep breath, his expression hardening before he spoke again, ‘You would inherit the De Winter estate; a house at the Council, another I’ve never bothered to look at somewhere in the south and a frankly obscene amount of money in the vaults at the Council. You would be well provided for.’
He fell silent and Mistral gazed down at her hands, held tightly in his while she waited for him to force her to make a promise she knew she would never keep. He began to speak again and Mistral listened to the strain in his voice, forcing out words she didn’t want to hear.
‘I want you to promise me that you would use the money to live a safer life. Sell the houses … do what you want with them. The entire estate would be yours, to do with what you wish.’
Mistral sighed. If Fabian were no longer alive she couldn’t even contemplate living in the house they were in now, never mind that cold, empty shell at the Council. And as for the money, well he obviously wanted nothing to do with it for his own reasons so what made him think that she would? His words echoed dully in her head … If I were to be killed … If that were to happen then how could he even expect her to want to stay alive herself? Mistral knew with sudden certainty that if he were killed she would take endless Contracts to blot out the numbing pain of loss until the blessed release of taking the fated one that bought her end.
‘Mistral? I need you to promise me you would use the De Winter name to provide for you.’
Mistral lifted her eyes to meet his sombre black gaze, ‘I promise.’
He continued to gaze at her for a long moment before smiling sadly, ‘You really are a terrible liar.’
‘I know, and I was really trying then too,’ she sighed and looked away, gazing up at the first faint stars appearing in the sky. A silence fell between them, deeper than the ocean.
‘Maybe we can reach a compromise.’ Fabian finally suggested. ‘Which part did you object to the most strongly?’
Mistral switched her gaze round to stare at him incredulously, ‘Which part? All of it of course! Wait, let me revise that statement. The rest is immaterial after you casually talking about me happily carrying on with my life after you’ve gone and got yourself killed! Can’t you see? There would be no more me without you!’ Mistral was suddenly shouting into Fabian’s infuriatingly calm face, angry tears spilling down her cheeks. ‘In fact!’ she continued with a choked sob. ‘I think it’s time you made me a promise for a change!’
‘Anything.’ Fabian vowed, brushing her tears away with a gentle touch.
‘Don’t get killed!’
Fabian paused, ‘Are you asking me to stop taking Contracts and live off the estate?’
‘No! Of course I’m not! I know you would never want to do either of those things!’
Fabian sighed, sadness glinting in the dark depths of his eyes, ‘I’m not invincible Mistral. Everyone dies.’
‘Yes. But you’re only allowed to when we’ve had an extremely long life together and we’re both incredibly ancient!’
‘Yes.’ Fabian smiled wistfully, making her cry harder. ‘I agree that would be perfect. However, it is not a promise that is within my power to make, or anyone’s for that matter.’
‘Then it’s all down to me to hurry up and get the Sight isn’t it?’ Mistral said dully. ‘If you’re going to die in blaze of glory on some crackpot mercenary Contract I want to be sure we’ve had some sort of life together first.’
Wordlessly, Fabian took her face in his hands and kissed her so tenderly that she would have promised him anything and meant every word. He released her slowly and she gazed breathlessly at him, lost in the liquid black of his eyes.
‘Well, since I’m not dead yet, may we have dinner together? Despite the fact that I’ve upset you I would still like to celebrate the fact that we are going to be married.’
‘Married!’ Mistral echoed the word wonderingly. It felt strange to say it in reference to her and Fabian. She frowned. Did it make her sound old? Boring even?
Catching the look on her face, Fabian smiled, ‘Consider it more of a lifelong Contract.’
‘Lifelong. I like that.’ Mistral nodded. Taking the hand he offered, she followed him into their house.
An Unsuspecting Bride
Fabian’s quiet jubilation at her agreeing to marry him continued throughout their ride back to the Valley the following morning. He smiled and hummed a tune to himself as they rode across the sunlit meadows, neither in any particular hurry to be back in the Valley but content to walk slowly, watching Prospero chasing spring rabbits.
Mistral listened to Fabian humming and smiled. She wasn’t that bothered about being married, but it seemed to please him … and what could it entail? A few mumbled words followed by several drinks in The Cloak and Dagger and, hopefully, a traditional wedding night if she got on with what she was supposed to be doing and managed to master Sight. She quickly decided to skip training and find Serenity to begin some serious work.
She glanced at Fabian again, he was still smiling to himself and Mistral hid a grin. She had never seen him look so happy. Dropping her gaze to study the leather reins bunched loosely in her hands Mistral let her mind wander over the events of the previous evening. Thankfully Fabian had not mentioned his wish for her to inherit the De Winter estate again and she fervently hoped he’d given up on the idea all together. She would
rather die a destitute pauper than touch a penny of the money that reminded Fabian of his miserable childhood – a childhood she still knew next to nothing about. She frowned to herself. Was she about to marry a stranger? The thought went as quickly as it came. Fabian was no more a stranger to her than she was to him. Their pasts were something neither liked to discuss, and she was quite happy to keep it that way.
They rode through the North Gate and began their unhurried descent down into the Valley, the horses swishing their tails lazily in the warm sunshine. Mistral was surprised to hear the guard give the warning bell three sharp rings and glanced across at Fabian.
‘Someone wanted to know when we arrived.’ Fabian responded unconcernedly
‘Oh great. I can guess who.’
Mistral sighed prepared herself for another lecture from Leo Sphinx. She could almost hear his coldly scathing tones. No doubt he would mention her lack of application to her second year, her continued failure to master Sight … definitely something about swanning off on an unauthorised Contract to hunt a dangerous protected species and not forgetting the final insult; the ruination of several months’ careful negotiation with the Rochfortes thanks to her throwing knife ending up in Antoine Rochforte’s neck.
No, she decided with a heavy sigh, it was not looking good.
‘How do I always manage to get in so much trouble?’ she asked Fabian with a frown.
He regarded her thoughtfully, ‘I really have no idea. I used to believe it was because you actively sought trouble, and then I thought it was because you had no-one trying to steer you in the right direction. However, I have since been forced to revise my opinion. The twins have tried very hard to curb your wayward tendencies and despite my best efforts to keep you out of problematic situations you continue to find them with insistent regularity.’
‘A natural born trouble-maker.’ Mistral sighed ruefully. ‘Are you sure you still want to marry someone like that?’
Fabian gazed at her steadily, ‘Without a shadow of doubt.’
They walked the final stretch of path into the village square to be greeted, as Mistral had suspected, by Leo Sphinx. He was stood with hands on hips, feet spread and cold features hard.
‘Why did you not return with your brothers yesterday?’ he demanded in an aggressive tone.
Mistral was momentarily thrown. Her returning a day later than the others was the last thing she was expecting him to be angry about.
‘Good morning Leo.’ Fabian greeted his brother cordially. ‘Would it be convenient for us to discuss a matter of some importance?’
Leo switched his icy glare to meet Fabian’s cool black gaze, ‘I had hoped you would provide a steadying influence on Mistral!’
‘I am trying.’ Fabian replied truthfully. ‘Although I admit the results do not quite speak for themselves.’
Leo narrowed his eyes angrily and Mistral suddenly wondered if he knew about Golden’s new marital status. No doubt the twins would have been bursting with that particular piece of news.
Catching her slight smirk Leo scowled, ‘You will not leave the Valley for the next two weeks!’
Mistral’s face fell. Two long boring weeks and even longer weekends stuck in the Valley away from Fabian? That wasn’t a punishment, it was torture.
‘A bit harsh, and possibly a touch impractical.’ Fabian countered mildly.
Leo’s eyes bulged at being openly contradicted and Mistral steeled herself for the inevitable outburst.
‘Mistral?’ Fabian calmly turned to hand her Spirit’s reins. ‘Would you mind stabling the horses? I really need to speak with Leo before he explodes.’
Mistral stifled a laugh and quickly led the two horses away before she got into any more trouble. By the time she left the stables it was nearly lunchtime. She wandered towards The Cloak and Dagger with Prospero at her heels in the hope of finding the twins or maybe some of her brothers. She pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside to be immediately greeted by a chorus of voices shouting her name.
‘At last!’
‘Mistral! Finally! We thought you’d be back with the twins yesterday! Come and tell us all about this war you nearly started!’
Her brothers were grinning and waving at her from a table near the back. Mistral took in their flushed faces and tankard-laden table and groaned inwardly. They had obviously been there a while.
‘Can I just get a drink first? I’ve just narrowly avoided being given the windswept treatment by his lordship the Leo and I want to savour the moment.’
‘We’ll get these.’
The twins glided silently up beside her, both wearing worryingly smug expressions.
‘I think we have cause for celebration, don’t you Mistral?’ Phantom added with a wink.
Mistral frowned. Celebration? Not really. The trip to the Council had been an unmitigated disaster. She had nearly been killed, Fabian had killed someone and now Mage Grapple was going to announce to the Rochforte tribe that she was, in fact, dead in order to try and avert some kind of retaliation.
‘Fine, make it two for me. I have a feeling this is going to be painful,’ she said heavily and walked over to suffer a brutal cross-examination.
‘So Golden bagged a title! The scheming nymph!’ Xerxes roared.
‘Never mind that trollop! What did Columbine’s face look like when she saw you?’ Cain asked with a grin.
‘Ugly.’
Cain laughed, ‘So she didn’t thank you for saving her life last year then?’
‘If you include trying to frame me for murdering the head of the Rochforte tribe as a form of gratitude then I’d say she was ecstatic.’ Mistral replied sarcastically.
‘Didn’t Prospero take a chunk out of her?’ Brutus asked, looking surprised. ‘He’s a bit protective of you. He nearly had my hand when we were bringing you back after the cyclops got you.’
‘He was banned from the meeting. Anyway, he’s choosy about what he eats.’ Mistral dropped a hand to rub Prospero’s head. He groaned and stretched out at her feet like a huge fur rug.
The twins returned from the bar and placed two tankards of ale in front of Mistral.
‘Thanks,’ she muttered gratefully raising one and taking a long drink.
‘So.’ Saul began hesitantly. ‘Your Mage … has he got over the cyclops incident yet?’
‘I think you’re safe Saul, if that’s what you mean.’ Phantasm replied quietly.
‘Definitely safe.’ Phantom said confidently. ‘He’s got a lot more on his mind than that right now.’
Mistral sighed. They were going to talk about the wretched Council again. She fiddled with the handle of her tankard and wondered darkly if Fabian would persuade Leo to change his mind about her ban on leaving the Valley. After a moment she realised that a silence had fallen and looked up to see the twins’ staring at her expectantly. She looked around slowly, seeing the same look on all her brothers’ faces.
‘What?’
Xerxes grinned, ‘You know what.’
Mistral scowled, ‘Look, I know the Council trip was a disaster, like it always is whenever I’m involved. What do you want me to say? I attract trouble apparently!’
Phantom smirked, ‘I’d say you attract more than that.’
‘Oh please don’t bring up the damned French cousin! All he did was tell me his name!’
Phantom looked at his twin, his ivory brow creasing into a frown, ‘I don’t know brother, could we have been mistaken?’
‘Definitely not.’ Phantasm replied firmly. ‘Mistral is just being unusually shy about the real events of the last few days.’
Mistral gritted her teeth, ‘Look, I really have no idea what you’re going on about so please just spit it out or you’ll be wearing my second drink!’
‘No ring though.’ Saul commented quietly.
Mistral froze, ‘What did you just say?’
‘Come on Mistral!’ Xerxes burst. ‘The twins were adamant that your Mage was going to propose to you after the Council Contract! They
reckoned Mage Grapple practically ordered him to.’
Mistral switched her stunned gaze to see Phantom grinning at her, his “I knew I was right” expression taking her to a whole new level of irritation.
‘Well?’ Xerxes demanded impatiently. ‘Still waiting for an answer here!’
Immediately Mistral felt colour flood her cheeks and opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
‘We’ll take that as a yes then!’ Phantom crowed. ‘Which I do hope you managed to say?’ he added, looking suddenly worried.
‘Of course she did.’ Phantasm sighed. ‘When does she ever say no to Mage De Winter?’
The warriors all laughed a bit too suggestively for Mistral’s liking.
‘Do you all mind?’ she snapped icily. ‘This really is none of your business!’
Cain gave her a wounded look, ‘Why? Don’t you want us at your wedding?’
Mistral frowned. She hadn’t considered the actual wedding.
‘You haven’t even thought about it have you.’ Phantasm tutted, reading her face more easily than if she’d spoken aloud.
Mistral shrugged, ‘Well, there’s not too much to think about is there? It’s hardly a big deal.’
The twins stared at her with frank disbelief.
‘She hasn’t got a clue has she?’ Phantom murmured.
‘No.’ Phantasm agreed quietly. ‘I think we may have to be of assistance.’
Mistral gave him a blank look, ‘In what?’
‘Don’t worry about it.’ Phantasm said smoothly. ‘Allow me to be the first to congratulate you.’ he pulled her into a hug which she was too surprised to repel and bore with stiff ill-grace, not noticing Phantasm mouthing something to his brother over her head.
‘Can we please not do this?’ she begged the twins quietly when her brothers immediately began teasing her with tales of wedding disasters they had known, runaway brides and obscene wedding night stories.
‘I agree. Your Mage might actually have to drag you down the aisle if you hear anymore horror stories.’
The Assassin's Destiny (Isle of Dreams) Page 18