“Not quite seven. My father left the day he put her in the ground. After that, I saw him once every few years. Mostly, he just left sacks of coins on my doorstep.”
Ertemis grunted. “He shouldn’t have left you, a female child alone in such an isolated spot. You did well raising yourself.”
She looked up at him. “So did you.”
“The Legion raised me.”
“That’s where you met Valduuk.”
“Aye. He saved my life. My skin made me the favorite target of some of the older conscripts. He overheard them plotting to rid the camp of me once and for all. He changed their minds with a broken jaw, a few cracked ribs, and a dislocated shoulder. They never bothered me again.”
“What was your job in the legions?”
He shifted uncomfortably. “I was a messenger of sorts.”
She swallowed. “Have you killed many men?”
“Do you really want an answer to that?”
She nodded.
“I’ve killed…my share.”
“Is that why Valduuk called you the Black Death?”
He groaned at the name. “Aye. I earned that name because of my ability to come and go unseen.”
“So, what other abilities do you possess?”
He laughed.
Indignation tensed her jaw. “Why are you laughing at me?”
“I’m not laughing at you. I’m just not used to the way you treat me.” He shook his head. “You speak to me without fear. You look at me without shrinking back. I’m not used to that. Don’t I frighten you?”
She smiled. “You look a little frightening but you haven’t really given me a reason to fear you. Now, answer the question.”
“Such temerity in one so young. What abilities do you possess?”
“Fire.”
“I’m aware of that one.”
“I can heal.”
“I don’t think knowledge of herbs counts.”
She shook her head. “More than just with herbs. Lord Tyber’s son Orit fell and shattered the bone in his rear flank. I healed him with my magic.”
“I haven’t seen you practice.”
“Practice my magic?”
“If I didn’t practice with my sword, I might lose my skills. At the very least, I wouldn’t get any better. If you don’t practice, how will you learn the scope of your power?”
“The thought never occurred to me. Where would I begin?”
“You have fire. Start there. Call fire into your hand,” he suggested.
“A flame? It would burn me!”
“Nay, I don’t think it will.”
She held her palm out and closed her eyes. She imagined a cool flame.
“Well done!” Ertemis said.
She opened her eyes to see a weak blue flame flickering in her hand. She gasped and the flame went out. “Well, that didn’t work.”
“You doubted yourself. Try again, with your eyes open.”
She held her palm out and the flame reappeared. She willed it larger and it grew. “Did you see that? I just did that. I imagined it bigger and then it was.” She closed her hand and the flame disappeared. “I cannot believe I never thought of practicing. I’ve wasted so many years.”
“You may be the king’s magewoman yet. I’ve never met a human with a quarter of your abilities.” He lay down and pulled the blanket up to his chest. “Best get some sleep.”
“Very well. Good dreams.” She settled under the covers. Firelight flickered on the rock ceiling.
“Good dreams.”
“Ertemis?”
“Aye.”
“Who is Lelaya?”
“It’s not a name, it’s an elven word. Now go to sleep.”
His half answer was puzzling but sleep called. “I’m glad nothing happened with Dalayna.” She yawned.
She dreamed of her mother. They walked hand in hand through the forests of Fairleigh Grove, as they had when Jessalyne was a little girl. The woods grew dark and she was alone. Her mother’s voice called to her. “Jessa...Jessa...”
She ran through a thicket of brush toward the voice. When she cleared the thicket, her mother lay still and pale in the coils of a white, two-headed serpent. The beast laughed with one mouth and frowned with the other.
A huge falcon swept down and caught the serpent in its claws, tearing the scaled flesh into red shreds. Jessalyne raised her hands to strike the serpent with magic and it laughed at her from both mouths. Try as she could, no fire came. She dropped her hands to her sides, powerless to help.
In a flash of white, the serpent struck the falcon and it fell to the ground, its breast bright with blood.
Jessalyne bolted awake, gulping air. “It was just a dream,” she whispered. The cave was completely dark. The coals of the fire had ashed over and shed no light. She shivered and held out her palm, calling up the small blue flame. The little light it gave off cast odd shadows on the uneven walls.
The shadows flickered and she jumped. She couldn’t hold the flame all night but if she restarted the fire, she would wake Ertemis. She stretched her little light toward him. He slept soundly, his back to the fire. She touched the pendant at her throat.
With the flame to light her way, she pulled the blanket around her shoulders and tiptoed to his side. The sand muffled her movements. She sat on his canvas, turning so they were back to back. Please don’t wake up. She balled her fist to extinguish the light and shimmied down a little before curling up next to him. Slumber washed over her and she drifted, vaguely aware of him shifting.
* * *
Ertemis turned and tucked his arm around her waist, drawing her close. She roused at his touch so he held still, hoping she’d think he moved in his sleep. He breathed her in, enjoying her nearness.
“What kindness brings you to my bed, Jess?” His lips brushed her ear as he spoke and she shivered.
“I had a nightscare and it’s dark and you were sleeping,” she mumbled.
He pulled her a little closer. “Shhh...go to back to sleep. You’re safe now, lelaya.”
Chapter Seven
Firstlight flushed pink the thin slice of sky visible through the cavern’s entrance. Ertemis squinted. Jessalyne slept curled around him, entwined in the blankets. Her head rested on his shoulder, her breath heating his skin. There were worse things than being her pillow. Her hair trailed across his chest like a ribbons of captured moonlight.
He smoothed a strand with his fingers, reluctant to wake her. He could hear Dragon snuffling, waiting to be fed. He could wait a few more moments.
“Mmmm...” Jessalyne murmured and slipped her arm around his neck. Was she dreaming of him?
The feel of her tucked against him was pleasurable beyond words. He listened to her heart beating. Impetuously, he felt the urge to imprint its rhythm. At least when they parted, he’d have that piece of her.
He opened his senses and let the steady thump pulse into him until it ran through his blood as his own. The only other heart he’d ever imprinted was his mother’s.
Jessalyne nuzzled her head against his shoulder and he reached for her, pulling her on top of him. “Good morning, sweeting. Sleep better on this side of the fire?”
Jessalyne’s eyes opened sleepily. She yawned and blinked a few times. Suddenly, her eyes widened and she stiffened. “Are you still naked?”
He motioned toward the makeshift clothes rack where his clothes hung. “I haven’t left this bed since you joined me.”
She rolled off him, inadvertently taking all the blankets with her, yelping when she hit the ground.
In the few seconds she’d been gone, he already craved her warmth again. “If you wanted a good look, you only need ask.”
She scrunched her eyes shut. “Put your clothes on!”
“Nay, not yet.” He scooped her up, blankets and all, and cradled her in his lap. “You shared my bed and kept your innocence, didn’t you?”
She nodded, eyeing him warily.
“But I’m a mercenary, not a knigh
t.” He embraced her, one arm beneath her back. “I promised I would have another kiss.”
* * *
His lips were gentle, restrained, teasing her mouth. She yielded, wanting more. His kiss turned ravenous.
Jessalyne lost herself in the crush of his mouth. A new heat forged in her and she reached for him, twining her fingers into his silky black locks. The desire to obey her mother’s letter warred with her hunger to be held and touched. It’s just a kiss. Just the most delicious kiss from the most delicious man.
His tongue caressed hers and sparks shot through her. She balled her fists in his hair, arching against him. She quivered at the unexpected touch, her spine tingling with fire as he tasted her.
He released her, closing his eyes and breathing deeply.
She lay quietly in his arms for a moment. “I liked that very much.”
“As did I.” He smiled at her and glanced down as he lifted her slightly. “Overmuch, perhaps.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing.” He kissed her forehead. “Are you hungry?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want food yet. I want a bath.”
“A bath? The stream we passed last night doesn’t look deep enough for that. Perhaps it pools somewhere. When I take the animals out, I’ll have a look.”
“Thank you.” If she didn’t get some relief for her aching muscles, today’s ride would be torture.
He stood up with her still in his arms. “I’m going to set you down so you best keep your eyes toward the wall.”
Although she did as he suggested, she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head slightly and glimpsed his exquisite backside as he pulled his trousers up. With heat creeping into her cheeks, she decided naked suited him well. She spun back toward the wall before he turned.
He walked past on his way to the animals, grinning wickedly. “Did you enjoy peeking at me?”
Her jaw dropped. “I did not...”
He tapped a finger to one ear. “These never lie to me, you saucy wench. Your heartbeat and your breathing quickened. Besides, the flush on your face betrays you.” He kept walking, shaking his head as he went. “The impertinence…”
She stuck her tongue out at his back.
“I heard that too,” he called out.
As soon as he left with Dragon and Petal, she dug out the salve from her pack. She was glad to be alone. The agony of two days’ ride was hard to hide from Ertemis but the pleasure of his kiss had dampened the pain considerably. Now it throbbed to life as she rubbed the last of the salve into her bruised thighs and backside, each stroke freshening the pain. She didn’t want him thinking her unable to manage the journey.
With the salve used up, she worked on securing the bedrolls. She wound them twice before they looked right. Rain had kept the night air damp and her skirt was still damp. She stoked the fire, adding some of the remaining brush and twigs to the coals. It sparked to life and she moved the tripod of branches a little closer.
Ertemis walked back inside. “I found a place where the stream pools enough for bathing, but the water is frigid.”
“It will be hot before I bath in it.” She took a shard of soap from her pack, the remnant of her bath at Valduuk’s.
They walked past Dragon and Petal grazing on a small mound of oats. Ertemis grabbed her hand, bringing them to a stop. He scanned the horizon, a finger to his lips.
She looked at him, questions in her eyes.
He shook his head. “I thought I heard something.” They walked a little further and he pointed to a spot where the stream curved into a quiet pool.
“Wonderful.” Jessalyne started toward the water, but Ertemis held her hand.
“There’s room enough for two.”
Just like Valduuk’s tub. She shivered at the memory.
He gently tugged her close and filled his hands with her hair. “I’ll be on my best behavior. Or not. You may decide.” He winked and added, “On my honor as a gentleman.”
“Since when are mercenaries gentlemen?” His hands in her hair dissolved the urge to pull away.
He clutched at his heart. “I’m wounded you think so lowly of me.”
“Ertemis...” She hesitated. If she told him about her mother’s letter, he might stop kissing her. If she told him what she’d done to her father, he would undoubtedly never touch her again.
“I didn’t mean to distress you. Take your bath and when you come back, I’ll have breakfast ready.”
“Thank you.” She looked into his starry sky eyes and saw he spoke the truth.
She picked her way across the rocky bank, moving as well as her legs would allow. Kept thinking how lovely the hot water would feel.
When she got to the pool, she set her soap on a rock and crouched close to the water’s surface. She dipped her fingers in. Icy cold. The stream must be snow fed from the mountains. Cupping her hand, she drank her fill.
Raising her hands over the pool, she started to close her eyes. No, she must practice. Eyes open this time; she beckoned heat into the water. Power surged up her spine and into her hands.
Wisps of steam rose off the surface. She trailed her fingers through the water, delighting in the warmth it now held. She stood and looked back toward the fissure in the ridge. She saw Dragon and Petal but nothing of Ertemis.
She lifted her tunic over her head and let it drop to the bank before easing into the water. The warmth soothed her and when she reached the full depth of the pool, she sunk beneath the surface. When she came up, she grabbed her soap and started scrubbing.
She dipped under to rinse her hair, then stayed submerged up to her neck. The water’s heat relaxed her muscles. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against one of the larger rocks edging the bank, letting the warmth sink into her.
Her legs kept floating up, so she stopped fighting the buoyancy and let them rise. Something wriggled over her toes. Her eyes went wide. A red and black striped water serpent curved across the rippling surface. The same kind of serpent that had killed one of the cervidae.
Heart pounding, she froze. Her dagger was in her saddlebag. Now she wished Ertemis were bathing with her.
Panic rose in her but she held her tongue. Screaming had not helped the cervidae. She would not risk drawing the serpent any faster by sending sound vibrations through the water.
Ertemis, where are you when I need you? She called out to him in her head, wishing him to her side. This wasn’t the way she wanted to die.
From behind her, a voice. “I’m here.”
“Ertemis,” she whispered. How had he known?
“I see the serpent. Stay still.”
She heard him moving but kept her eyes on the creature slithering toward her. It passed the middle of the pool, almost close enough to touch. A moan caught in her throat.
The brief glimmer of sun-struck steel flashed before her. Swirls of red bloomed from the two wriggling halves of the serpent as it sunk.
His hands slipped beneath her arms and lifted her out of the blood-clouded water.
Water ran off her naked body in rivulets, but that didn’t stop him from holding her tight. She tucked her face against his hard chest and inhaled his comforting fragrance. A man like this was good to have around.
“You’re safe now.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Thank you.” She reveled in the press of his hands on her bare back.
“You’re shivering. I’ll fetch your gown.”
Ertemis jumped down and grabbed her tunic off the bank. He held it up, keeping his eyes averted. She raised her brows at his refusal to take advantage of the situation. The gown clung as she tugged it over her wet body. “I’m dressed. How did you know to come?”
* * *
He looked up and the breath left him. Sunshine filtered through her gown, outlining her in light. The fabric hugged her damp skin, sheer where it was soaked through.
Desire welled in him. The fabric cupped her breasts the way his hands ached to. Sweeping o
ver the curve of her stomach, his gaze went lower before he could stop himself. Painful need course through him. He was lost and he knew it.
Turning away, he struggled to keep the desire from his voice. “I was saddling Dragon when a feeling of panic came over me. I opened my senses and I heard you calling. I came as fast as I could.”
“You heard me? But I only spoke to you in my head. I was afraid to call out for fear I’d draw the serpent faster.” She shivered as a breeze swept past.
“The elves call it mindsight. But no one’s ever called me as clearly as you did.” He stepped up onto the rock next to her. “You need to be by the fire.”
Jessalyne faltered on a wobbly rock and Ertemis grabbed her arm before she fell. “You’re handy to have around. If that serpent had bitten me...” She shuddered.
He squeezed her hand and turned the conversation to something lighter. “So I’m an agreeable kisser and handy to have around. I’m beginning to bore myself.”
She cuffed him lightly on the shoulder. “That’s not what I meant.”
He slipped his arm beneath her legs and picked her up. “Since I’m so handy, I’ll just carry you back. You’ve used up all your rescuing for the day and I can’t risk you breaking something on your way to breakfast.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Her fingers played in his hair, but the ripples of pleasure affect his entire body. “Very well. I’m too hungry to be contrary.” She paused. “And I do want to get my money’s worth.”
He slanted his eyes at her. “Saucy wench,” he muttered, unable to repress a grin.
He didn’t set her down until he reached the fire. “I’ll finish saddling Petal while you change. Then we’ll eat and be on our way.”
As soon as he left, she dressed in the pale green skirt and blouse, cinching the leather bodice tightly around her waist. She finger-combed her hair by the fire to dry it. Her hands went to his beautiful gift about her neck. She smiled. Black Death, indeed. The name really didn’t suit him.
“Jessalyne!” Ertemis called. “I am nigh to death with hunger, woman! Are you dressed yet?”
“Yes, come in.” Hands on hips, she stared at him. “I thought you were getting breakfast for me?”
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