The Devil's Fire

by Sara Bell

  "The answer to all those questions,” Alric said, “is the same: scandal. Father was afraid word of my powers would spread if he took action against Adela and Denmar. He thought it better to let the two of them get away with their crimes than risk exposing the truth about me."

  Gareth didn't like it, but he knew Declan had been right. Rumors were one thing, but if the full extent of Alric's powers ever became common knowledge, every fortune hunter in Orielle would be after him.

  "Denmar may have escaped punishment, but Adela did not.” Alric swiped at his eyes with unsteady fingers. “She died by my hands, or so they tell me. I vow I remember none of it."

  Without conscious thought, Gareth reached out and pulled Alric's hand away from his face. He meant only to offer comfort, but a spike of pleasure pierced his body the moment their skin made contact. Gareth jumped back as if stung. He tried to cover the action with a question. “How did she die?"

  Alric seemed as shaken by the touch as Gareth was, but he, too, tried to hide it. “Adela ... she died the night before she was to return to Winthrop. Burned to death in the very tower where she was being held captive.” The candlelight flickered over his pale face. “My only memory of that night is being awakened from a sound sleep by the smell of smoke and the shouts of the soldiers. The men tried to save Adela, of course, but ‘twas no use.” A solitary tear ran down his cheek. “Six soldiers perished in the fire alongside Adela."

  Gareth's fingers itched to brush away the tear as it rolled toward Alric's neck. He stood instead, removing himself from temptation.

  Pacing for a moment, Gareth stopped at the foot of the bed. “If you have no memory of that night save sleeping, how do you know the fire was your fault?"

  Alric sat up, the blankets falling to his waist, reminding Gareth his husband was naked beneath the thin covering.

  Alric seemed to be paying no mind to his current state of undress. “No other cause for the fire was found. No overturned candles, no broken lanterns or oil soaked rags. I hold myself guilty on lack of contrary evidence alone."

  "And your father?"

  "He concealed my crime as best he could by blaming the fire on an unknown soldier who got careless with his pipe. Not that it mattered. Word of what happened made it back to Denmar. I'm reasonably certain he's the one who told Adela's father I killed her."

  "Making sure that Winthrop would no longer stand as Kray's ally.” Gareth didn't have to wonder at Denmar's reasoning. With Winthrop out of the way, there would be one less obstacle in his quest to get Alric back.

  "Right. Until then, King Winthrop believed Adela's death to be an accident.” Alric made a face. “We'd buried what was left of Adela's body at Kray, so I'm sure you can imagine our surprise when Winthrop stormed the keep demanding his daughter's remains be unearthed for surrender to him and proclaiming me a killer."

  "Denmar never misses an opportunity, does he?” Gareth tightened his fingers into fists. “He probably told Winthrop about your powers, as well."

  Alric nodded. “'Tis most likely he did, though why Winthrop would attack us today if he knew the full truth of me makes no sense."

  "Grief makes men do strange things. I would like to know how Winthrop's men knew where to find us, however.” Gareth was about to say more when he was distracted by a memory that had been tugging at him since the two of them began talking. He leaned against one of the bedposts and peered down at Alric. “The day of our wedding, when you confronted Denmar outside the castle gates, he gave you something. A sack, I believe."

  Alric shivered. “Yes."

  "What was inside?"

  Another shiver. “A charred finger. Adela's, presumably."

  Gareth winced. “The worthless churl never stops."

  "He won't, not until he takes revenge on us all. My father knows this. ‘Tis why he forced the two of us into this marriage."

  Gareth nodded. “Declan believes I can protect you from Denmar."

  "The problem becomes,” Alric said while looking Gareth dead in the eye, “who'll protect you from me?"

  "I don't need anyone to save me from you, Alric.” Gareth made his smile as gentle as possible. “I feel quite safe in your presence."

  Alric slumped into the pillows. “Even knowing what sort of monster you've bound yourself to?"

  Gareth didn't understand why, but it hurt him to hear Alric talk about himself that way. Seeking to lighten the mood, he said, “You don't look like a monster to me. All the monsters I've heard tell of were great, hairy beasts. That scant scattering of fluff on your chest could hardly be considered fur."

  "Gareth—"

  "Alric, you cannot help the powers you've been given. The way I see it, you have two choices. The first is to take your gift and pervert it, make it into something evil the way Denmar wanted you to. The second is to use your abilities for good, as you did today when you saved us all from Winthrop's men. I'd say there's little doubt which path you've chosen, and I admire you for that. ‘Tis no monster you are, but a man of integrity with a sense of responsibility most others would envy."

  Alric tried to protest. “But—"

  Gareth held up his hand. “Stop arguing and get some rest. Balthazar will examine you again in the morning, but for now you need all the sleep you can get to remake the blood you lost."

  Alric looked around the room. “And where will you sleep?"

  Gareth pointed to the corner chest. “There are plenty of clean blankets in there. I'll make myself a pallet on the floor in a moment, but first, I think I'll go downstairs and see about a meal. Are you hungry?"

  Alric shook his head. “I'm too tired to eat."

  "Sleep then, and I'll be back in a moment.” Gareth left just as thoughts of sharing the bed with Alric began to filter into his head. He pushed them ruthlessly away and let himself out.

  * * * *

  Morning sunlight spilled into the room as Balthazar went over Alric's injuries yet again to make certain they were healing.

  "You examined me three times yesterday,” Alric said. “I'm healed, I tell you. We were supposed to have arrived at Hume a full day ago. If we delay much longer, my sister will worry herself ill."

  Gareth stepped into the room, carrying himself with a stiffness born of sleeping two full nights on the floor. He caught Balthazar's half-hidden smile and Alric's mumbling frown. “I could hear you complaining out in the hall, Alric."

  Balthazar stood and pulled the blankets back over Alric before glancing at Gareth. “Good morning, Prince Gareth."

  "Thank The Creator you're here.” Alric fastened his eyes on Gareth. “I say I'm well enough to be on the road, and this one,” he pointed to Balthazar, “says I'm not. Tell him I'm fine."

  "What I said, my prince, is that you've lost a great deal of blood and are still weak from your ordeal. I also said that if you insist on traveling, we must set a slow pace and stop to rest often."

  Alric crossed his arms over his chest. “I've been lying here for nigh on three days, and I feel fine."

  Gareth leaned against the doorframe and looked to Balthazar. “Do you think ‘twill harm him to travel, say ... tonight at first dark?"

  "Not if we keep to the pace I've suggested."

  "In that case,” Gareth said, “we'll travel at night and camp during the day. We've been fortunate none of our enemies has thought to look for us here, but we can't afford to take any chances. I fear Alric is too weak to use his powers, and the three of us will be no match for an armed regimen."

  Balthazar nodded and was about to take his leave when Alric stopped him. “I've a matter I wish to discuss with you, healer."

  Balthazar stopped and then turned. “Yes, Prince Alric?"

  Alric sat up, propping the pillows behind his back to give himself some support. “I've yet to thank you for saving my life. I owe you for that."

  "You owe me nothing.” Balthazar blushed. “You saved my life as well."

  "Oh, but I do. Especially I shall owe you should you choose to grant me the boon I'm ab
out to ask of you."

  Balthazar looked wary. “Boon, my prince?"

  "Yes. As you've no doubt heard, my father is ill. The healers at Kray believe he has little time left to live.” Alric swallowed hard. “When we reach Hume, I'd like to send you—with a brace of soldiers to guard you, of course—back to Kray for the purpose of examining father. I'm asking you to see if there's anything you can do for him."

  Balthazar hesitated and when at last he spoke, there was fear in his voice. “Sometimes there is nothing anyone can do to heal a man with so grave an illness as King Declan's. I'll be honored to aid your father any way I can, but ‘tis quite possible I won't be able to help him."

  "'All I ask is that you try,” Alric said. “I would never place blame on you for something that was out of your control."

  Balthazar relaxed a fraction, nodded, and then took his leave. Gareth closed the door behind the healer and sat down on the edge of the bed. “You were kind to him."

  Alric laughed. “You needn't sound so surprised."

  Gareth grinned. “I'm not surprised by your kindness, but you seemed to take extra care with Balthazar."

  "From what you've told me, the boy has reason enough to be afraid."

  Gareth raised his brows. “Boy? Balthazar is only three years younger than you."

  "Compared to me, he is a boy. Sometimes life has a way of aging a man.” Alric changed the subject. “I'd hoped to travel both day and night until we reach Hume. If word of our attack reaches my sister before I do, Glenna will be terrified. ‘Tis not good for the babe she carries to have her upset so."

  Gareth wasn't swayed. “We'll keep to the pace Balthazar deems safest for you and go not a bit faster."

  Alric didn't like it, but he knew arguing would be of no use. If he didn't know better, he'd say Gareth was concerned for him. It was a most unsettling thought.

  * * * *

  Between Balthazar's ordered rests and the hilly, forested terrain itself, the journey from Rotham to Hume took three additional days. The slow pace was making Alric irritable, but Gareth didn't fault him for it. He, too, was anxious to be safely inside Hume's walls.

  Even traveling by night, Gareth was constantly looking over his shoulder and waiting for the enemy to strike. When they at last crested a grassy rise in the early-morning hours of the fourth day and Alric pronounced them at the Hume border, Gareth all but sagged relief.

  Balthazar rode up on Gareth's left, reining to a stop the small gelding they'd purchased for him from the Rotham innkeeper. “Is this Hume, my prince?"

  Alric nodded. “We should reach the castle gates within the hour."

  'Twas a tense hour for Gareth. After surviving his first meeting with Declan, Gareth should have been prepared for any member of Alric's family. And it wasn't as if he and Alric were a pair of star-crossed lovers seeking his family's blessing. Why, then, was his quivering stomach not convinced?

  Gareth tried to settle himself as they rode on. He was feeling a fraction better by the time they reached the castle itself.

  Unlike Castle Kray, which was surrounded by a substantial moat, Hume's keep was bordered by a steep, sheer wall some thirty feet high. Guard towers peaked each of the four corners, and armed men patrolled the top of the wall. The sentries must have been on full alert, for a group of mounted soldiers was waiting for them just outside the iron gates.

  The leader of the guards, a seasoned warrior of at least sixty years, recognized Alric at once. The fellow dismounted and bowed low to the ground. As soon as Alric acknowledged the show of respect, the old soldier straightened and said, “Prince Alric, thank The Creator you're here. Queen Glenna has been out of her mind with worry. You can't fathom the rumors that have reached us about you."

  "I'm afraid I can, Sully, though I'm grieved to hear of Glenna's worry.” Alric gestured to Gareth. “Sully, allow me to present my husband, Prince Gareth, formerly of Lachlan."

  Sully bowed to Gareth as Alric next indicated Balthazar. “And this is Balthazar, once of Lundfree, now the chief healer of Kray."

  Balthazar seemed surprised by Alric's announcement, but Gareth wasn't. He'd guessed Alric would find a way to reward Balthazar for all he'd done. Making him Kray's chief healer was a high honor, indeed.

  Alric smiled at the elderly soldier. “Gentlemen, this is Sully, an old family friend and the captain of Hume's guard."

  Sully bowed again and then climbed back into the saddle. “Please, follow me so that we may deliver you to the Queen and set her mind at ease."

  The soldiers parted to allow the three of them room enough to follow Sully toward the gates. The heavy fixtures swung inward as they approached. Several of the soldiers in the courtyard bowed to them as they passed, but Gareth's attention was focused on the tiny, dark haired woman running towards them.

  Perhaps waddling would have been a better description. The woman's belly was so heavy with child she seemed close to overbalancing herself. No doubt this was Alric's sister. If the pregnancy hadn't given her away, the resemblance would have.

  Glenna's long, wavy hair was the same lightless black as Alric's, her eyes the same glowing silver. It was the love in those eyes that transformed her face from simply beautiful to stunning as she raced towards them.

  Alric all but jumped from his saddle and hurried to take hold of her before she fell on the rocky ground. Catching her to his chest, he said, “Slow down, sister, or you'll have your babe here in the courtyard.” He brushed a curl from her eyes and kissed her forehead.

  A tall, blond man came up behind her. His corded arms were crossed over his chest, but his green eyes were dancing with laughter. “'Tis no use trying to talk to her. The woman has been out of her mind with worry."

  "Can you blame me?” Glenna turned long enough to glare at the man before turning back to Alric. “You should have been here days ago. Not to mention the horrible tales we've heard.” Her delicate features creased with concern. “Where have you been? What happened to you, darling boy?"

  Alric smiled at the endearment. “I have much to tell you, but first, there are two men I'd like you to meet.” He introduced Balthazar first, who'd already quit his horse, and then motioned for Gareth to dismount.

  Once Gareth was on the ground, Alric said, “Glenna and Rowan, I'd like you to meet my husband Gareth."

  Glenna pulled away from her brother, then took her place at her husband's side. She gave Gareth a dazzling smile and curtsied as best she could with her bulging belly in the way. “'Tis an honor to have you here, my lord. Welcome to Hume."

  Rowan seconded the sentiment and was about to say more when a commotion at the far end of the courtyard caught his attention.

  Gareth watched as a slender, handsome man with long, straw-colored hair and blinding green eyes made his way across the grounds. He was well dressed and bore a striking resemblance to King Rowan.

  The man rushed over to Alric and embraced him. “Alric, how good it is to know you are safe.” And before Gareth knew what was happening, the grinning knave pulled Alric close and covered his mouth in a full-tongued kiss.

  Chapter Seven

  Alric was torn between staggering embarrassment and the nagging urge to kill Rowan's cousin as he untangled his lips from Finn's. He said nothing, but his eyes promised Finn a reckoning. He glanced back at Gareth. “Gareth, I'd like you to meet—"

  "Finneas of Hume, first cousin to Rowan the king, at your service.” Finn bowed low.

  Gareth's jaw was set in a rigid line, but he returned Finn's bow with a stiff one of his own. “'Tis a pleasure, Finneas.” He seemed to be grinding his teeth.

  Finn's smile was dazzling in the early morning sun. “Please, call me Finn. Finneas is so formal."

  Gareth might have said something had Rowan not spoken first. “Gareth will have time enough to get to know you later, Finn. As of now, I imagine our three travelers here could do with a hot bath and some nourishment."

  A bath. After three days on the road, being clean had never sounded so good to Alr
ic. “We'd be most grateful, thank you."

  Glenna waved away his gratitude. “No need to thank us. Stefan will soon be up from his morning nap. We can't have you greeting him with all that hair on your face."

  "I doubt he even remembers me, Glenna."

  "Maybe not, but you're talked about often enough that he knows who you are.” Rowan clapped Alric on the back. “Stefan's almost as excited about your visit as Glenna."

  Glenna nudged Rowan in the side with her elbow. “You were just as excited, husband."

  Rowan nodded. “That I was."

  Balthazar spoke up as three grooms came rushing from the stables to take their horses. “Prince Alric, I know ‘twas your wish for me to travel back to Kray and tend to King Declan. I'm prepared to leave now, if you so desire."

  Alric shook his head. “You've earned a full day's worth of meals and a solid night's rest in a real bed. After our respite, I'll speak to Rowan about designating a regiment to see you safely back to Kray. Tomorrow, perhaps."

  "Now that the matter is settled,” Rowan said, “let us see to your needs."

  Alric spared Gareth a glance. The thought of a warm meal and fresh clothes must have sounded just as good to him. Gareth actually stopped glaring at Finn long enough to follow Rowan and Glenna into the keep.

  * * * *

  Alric sat down on the bed after bathing and donning the tunic and hose Rowan had loaned him. The clothes he'd worn the day of the attack were shredded to rags, and after wearing his spare set for nearly four days on end, Alric was grateful to once again have clean cloth touching his skin.

  He'd just pulled on his boots when the door was flung wide and a grinning Finn came into the room. Without waiting for an invitation, Finn sank onto the velvet coverlet beside Alric and flopped to the mattress on his back. Looking up to see Alric's scowl, he said, “What has you so vexed? Have you a bee in your boot?"