Sword's Call

by C. A. Szarek

  They could start a fire, get warm and dry. Even bed down around it.

  Cera spotted a grouping of stones that would be adequate for a fire ring and chose a spot where she’d curl up with Trik.

  She heard Jorrin’s boots hit the dirt. He faced away from her, staring silently into the darkness behind them. He must be probing magically. Smart. The last thing they needed was to disturb some wild animal.

  Cera shot a glance at Trik. Her wolf was close, not reacting to anything, so they were probably all right, but Jorrin’s caution couldn’t hurt.

  Leaving him to it, she dismounted, taking off her wet cloak. She loosened the straps around the stallion’s middle, then yanked the saddle off, dropping it with a thud. Cera wiped Ash down, getting him as dry as she could before covering him with a warm blanket from her pack. Shivering, she grabbed her rolled sleeping furs, gathering them up in her arms.

  Jorrin said nothing, and when she glanced in his direction, he was similarly tending Grayna.

  “You can thought-send.” Why the hell had she opened with that? Didn’t she want to avoid magic?

  With another shiver, she pulled her furs close around her shoulders. Trikser shook himself off and lay down against her. His warmth was welcome, but he was still wet, his fur soaking her already damp breeches. Cera’s teeth chattered and she buried her hands in his fur. He wiggled closer and licked her arm.

  “So can you.” One dark eyebrow raised, he followed her lead with his own furs.

  “I learned to thought-send before I bonded. I have some magic, but it’s limited.” Why was she being so honest? What was it about this man? Her stomach fluttered and Cera frowned.

  “I have magic, too. It’s not limited. I suppose training comes with the heritage.” He gestured toward his tapered ears. “Magic comes in handy at times. Like this.”

  Sparks ignited from the damp air as Jorrin focused on a piece of wood lying between them.

  Cera smiled in thanks at the fire’s birth.

  He went for something that looked like kindling from his pack and threw it into the flames. The blaze flared and briefly glowed blue.

  Was that stuff magic, too? Would it make the fire last longer?

  He said nothing as he settled across from her, the warmth between them.

  Trikser wiggled closer to her and the fire, resting his large head on her lap. She scratched between his ears, but Cera couldn’t tear her eyes away from Jorrin.

  Which of his parents is elfin?

  She’d seen half-breeds before, even met a few, but not one that favored the beautiful graceful elves so much. His long tapered ears were elegant, making her want to run her fingers along them.

  Where did that come from? Cera shook herself, but continued to watch him.

  He had a calming effect on her. She liked how the movement of the fire reflected over the smooth planes of his handsome face, the pleasant glow making him even more striking. Her eyes drifted to his mouth. Full lips in repose.

  What would it be like to kiss him?

  She cursed herself as her heart raced, and she forced her gaze away.

  Jorrin didn’t seem to notice. She tried to convince herself it was a relief.

  “Maybe we should get some sleep.” Cera yawned.

  He nodded. “I guess we’re safe in here, but I’ll stay up for a bit, take the first watch.”

  Thunder boomed and Ash neighed. Grayna echoed the stallion’s nervousness and pawed the dirt.

  Gently pushing her bondmate off her lap, she rose and went to Ash, running her hand down his muzzle and whispering. She made sure both horses were as secured as they could be and repeated her reassurance to Jorrin’s dappled mare.

  “Thanks.” He smiled, inclining his head. “Good night.” Jorrin snuggled his furs around his shoulders and scooted to lean against the cave wall. “We’ll switch in a few hours. Get some sleep. I promise I will keep you safe.”

  Cera hesitated.

  Should she let him assume such a responsibility while she slept?

  She didn’t even know him. Not really. Jorrin tagging after her for a few days didn’t count, but instinct told her he wouldn’t hurt her. He’d never even tried to touch her. Besides, Trik was here, too. Her wolf wouldn’t let any harm come to her.

  Two protectors?

  A huge yawn made the decision for her.

  “Good night,” she said softly.

  Trikser yawned as well. Patting his head, she gathered her furs closer with a shudder as she lay down. Her bondmate licked her face and cuddled against her back.

  She smiled and tucked her sword into her. Cera spared another glance at Jorrin, but he wasn’t looking in her direction.

  I promise I will keep you safe echoed in her mind.

  A vow, but why?

  Her heart skipped and she chided herself.

  Jorrin Aldern, the half-elfin man from Aramour, was dangerous.

  Cera trembled and blamed it on the chill in the cave.

  Chapter Three

  Avery panted as he looked over his shoulder.

  No one followed him, right?

  He shook his head. Paranoia could not take him over, but knowing he’d gotten away cleanly didn’t comfort him.

  His mother . . . his father . . .

  No. Stop it. They’ll be fine.

  Pressing his knees into Valor’s sides, he felt the white gelding bolt forward and he leaned into him, and he gripped the reins until his knuckles whitened.

  He had to find Cera.

  His mother’s urgent words echoed in his mind as a list of instructions he didn’t have a choice but to follow. It meant survival. His cousin’s family had already been wiped out.

  Avery shivered, and it had little to do with the cold rain pelting down. A spell surrounded him, keeping his cape, horse and few belongings artificially dry and warm.

  If only his task was as simple.

  He’d ride all day and night if he had to.

  Cera would be along this forested road, according to his mother’s vision, but he had yet to discern any clue to her location. Hopefully she was warm and dry.

  Searching as best he could, given Valor’s speed, Avery sent out magical feels, probing for her, but sensed nothing.

  Was she cloaked in some kind of spell?

  Probably not, because Varthan’s shades could find her more easily the more magic that surrounded her, and his cousin was smart. She’d know that.

  His heart skipped a beat. Cera had to be all right. She was one of the strongest people he knew. Avery’s jaw clenched.

  Where the hell was his cousin?

  ****

  “I’m sorry about Ash,” Cera told Jorrin as they sat in front of a small, cozy fire. Their horses were tied nearby, both covered with warm blankets. “I mean, I didn’t remember your horse was a mare, or I would have reined him in . . .”

  Earlier that day, her stallion had gotten a bit too close to Grayna for her comfort and she’d tossed her rider on his arse in a mud puddle. Then the traitor had taken off down the road, leaving Jorrin on the ground without even a backward glance. His new breeches now sported a tear in the soft leather, and his rump was sore.

  Cera and Ash had helped him get Grayna back. It was just one more way that she’d had to save him, after she’d gotten over her fit of giggles, of course.

  Would she constantly be saving him? He didn’t want her to think he wasn’t a man. “It’s all right.” He made a dismissive gesture.

  She tucked a long strand of her dark auburn hair behind her ear, and he tried not to stare. As aggravating as she could be, she was beautiful.

  He took a bite of the dried meat she’d shared from her belt pouch. They’d have to hunt soon. Jorrin had gotten a rabbit the day before, but that meat was gone. At least they’d been able to wash up and fill their water skins from a clean stream.

  Cera leaned on her wolf and shared meat with the beast as she ate. How could anyone get close to her
and keep his hands?

  He’d thought about kissing her more than a few times, but it had to be an impossible feat.

  He chuckled. At least her bondmate hadn’t attacked him . . . yet.

  “What’s so funny?” She sipped from her leather canteen.

  “Nothing . . .”

  She quirked an eyebrow. “Well, I am glad you amuse yourself, oh great one.”

  Jorrin held in a smile, because it’d anger her all the more. He’d learned quickly that she liked things to go her way, and was a great deal more than just put out if they didn’t.

  They’d been on the road for a sevenday, and though she hadn’t said anything to the effect, it was apparent they were taking a long route to Tarvis, heading west through the Province of Berat, instead of the road due south, which was a straight shot.

  With their pace, it’d be a few more days until they were half-way.

  “You’re right,” Cera said.

  He’d not built walls in his mind, and now that they’d spent so much time together they were becoming attuned to each other. As a result, she could sometimes pick up his thoughts, though because her magic was not empathic in nature, it was rare. However, it proved they had an emotional connection.

  “Only when you think loudly,” she added, smiling as he constructed his walls. “Sorry.” She grimaced. “I hate when it happens to me.”

  “No problem,” Jorrin said. Staring into her gray eyes, he asked, “Can I ask why we’re making this journey harder than it has to be?”

  “Sure, you can ask.” That meant she wasn’t going to tell him anything more than she deemed necessary. “I just want to stay out of trouble, is all.”

  His instincts flared.

  There’s more to it than that.

  Cocking his head to the side, he chose his words carefully, “Surely, with a white wolf bondmate, magical abilities, and a magic sword, you’d have no need to worry.”

  The avoidance of magic had been a chasm between them all sevenday.

  “I don’t know much about it.” Cera’s eyes widened.

  She was lying to him; Jorrin didn’t need magic to know that. Their eyes locked, and her cheeks flushed pink.

  Should he push her?

  No. For now he would let it drop.

  Without breaking their eye contact, he nodded.

  She swallowed hard. “There’s another small town we should reach by tomorrow. This is the last night we’ll have to sleep outside, provided a respectable inn is available. I suggest you wear your hood.” Cera gestured toward his ears, taking a bite of meat and gathering her furs over her shoulders.

  Staring into the fire, he concentrated to make it rise and heat. She met his eyes when he was done and he shrugged, flashing a half-smile.

  Cera said nothing, but her eyes bored into him.

  Ignoring the way his stomach jumped when she looked at him like that, he shot to his feet. “I’ll be right back.” He needed to relieve himself before they sought sleep, and he’d already told her she could sleep first.

  She nodded, and he disappeared into the nearby woods.

  Jorrin heard Cera holler and his heart dropped to his stomach. He fastened his belt with shaky fingers and unsheathed his sword, jogging back to their small camp.

  He cursed himself for leaving her alone, even if it was only for a few moments, but Trikser was there, her bondmate would protect her. He took a breath.

  She’s fine. She has to be.

  He burst into the clearing just as she yelled again, and it took him a moment to discern that she was neither in pain, nor in trouble.

  Cera was embracing a caped figure.

  Who the hell was that?

  Holding Cera?

  Jealousy flared, but Jorrin chided himself and relaxed the hold on his sword as he made his way to the two humans.

  The white wolf was wagging his tail, and Jorrin’s step faltered. He lowered his sword, frowning.

  “Avery, what are you doing here?” Cera’s voice was breathless.

  Apparently Avery was quite exhausted, so much so he couldn’t answer her. He leaned on the white gelding he’d ridden in on and then keeled over.

  Jorrin shoved his sword in its scabbard just in time to catch the other man under the arms as he passed out.

  He didn’t miss the whisper, “Thank the Blessed Spirit I found you.”

  Cera thanked him and chewed at her bottom lip. She remained frozen and very pale, fists clenched at her shapely sides. Jorrin got nothing but confusion and worry from her through his magic, and her sword was nowhere in sight.

  Laying the tall lanky stranger down on his own furs, Jorrin covered him and turned back to her. “Who is he?”

  She’d followed him back to the fire, looking lost. When her knees buckled and she landed hard on her furs, he rushed to sit beside her, taking her hand.

  Cera didn’t pull away.

  “My cousin . . . Avery . . . Avery Lenore.”

  Her cousin’s name jolted him. “Lenore? As in Castle Lenore?”

  She nodded, her eyes finally focusing on his face.

  “You want to tell me what you are running from?” he whispered.

  Cera gave another slight nod and Jorrin bit back a gasp. He couldn’t look away.

  Then her expression hardened.

  She shut him out again.

  “It’s a long story . . .” Cera glanced away.

  Jorrin lifted his hand and caressed her chin, slowly guiding her face back to his and making her meet his eyes. “I have all night.” Couldn’t let her win this round. He needed to show her he was there for her.

  Whatever she was hiding, seeing her cousin had shaken her and made her secret too much to bear.

  He tried to catch her thoughts, but her mind was still closed. He could sense nothing more than vague feelings, and a strong underlying defiance. Jorrin couldn’t tell if the defiance was meant for him alone, but it was foremost in her mind.

  His brow heated and dampened from magical effort, so he took a breath and released his concentration.

  Cera’s beautiful gray eyes were still locked onto his.

  Jorrin ran two fingers from her temple to her cheek, allowing himself to forget their conversation and give in to his desire to kiss her.

  Leaning down, he brushed her lips with his.

  The touch was sweet and left him wanting more.

  Cradling her head, he pulled her closer and covered her mouth. Cera’s lips moved tentatively against his, so he pushed harder, making her open for him and deepening the kiss.

  Her sweet essence washed over him as their tongues dueled and she returned his kiss fully, fervently. His magic tingled, her mind was open to him, but he concentrated on the kiss instead of invading her thoughts.

  Blessed Spirit, she tastes good.

  Desire flooded Jorrin, his manhood stirred.

  More.

  He kissed her harder, swallowing a half moan as Cera put her hands on his shoulders.

  Jorrin tried to tug her against his chest, but she broke away, pushing him away and standing on trembling legs.

  “No,” she whispered, “I have to see to Valor.” She lunged for the white horse’s reins, her back to Jorrin, but she hadn’t moved so fast that he’d missed the half-lidded gray eyes, pink cheeks and kiss-swollen lips.

  Biting back a groan, he ordered his arousal to soften and chanted at himself not to push her.

  She unstrapped the saddle on the gelding, her whole body shaking.

  He couldn’t get even an inkling of emotion off her; Cera’s mind was totally shut down to him. Consciously.

  Jorrin shoved his hand through his hair, cursing himself to hell and back.

  He shouldn’t have kissed her.

  Now she’d pull away from him even more.

  Was she denying his kiss, or just revealing her secrets?

  Despite the fact she’d kissed him back, her rejection burned through his chest. Jorrin ru
bbed the spot, wincing.

  He needed to find out what was going on. He moved behind her, covering her hand with his on the horse’s back.

  She shivered and her shoulders stiffened.

  “Cera, you don’t always have to be so strong, you know.”

  Cera whirled on Jorrin, yanking her hand from underneath his. “Yes. I do.” She hauled the heavy saddle from the gelding and threw it on the ground next to the other two.

  When she covered him with a blanket, her movements were still jerky.

  Jorrin stood and watched her lead Valor to Grayna and Ash and tie him.

  Cera tossed a bundle of sleeping furs at him and pure reflex made his arms rise to catch it.

  “Those are Avery’s. Use them for the night, since he has yours.” Her chest heaved; he tried not to stare at her jerkin-covered breasts. “We’ll talk in the morning, when I know why Avery is here.”

  He didn’t miss the trembling that gripped her tall slender frame even as she curled into a ball deep in her furs.

  Jorrin wanted to hold her, comfort her, but his gut said she wouldn’t let him, even if he hadn’t kissed her.

  The white wolf curled around her, making his idea further dissolve.

  Doesn’t matter anyway.

  It was obvious she didn’t want to get closer to him.

  The fire crackled and he glanced at it, then let his eyes skim over their small camp. They were secluded, but safety was an illusion.

  How could her cousin have even found them?

  All he could see of the other man as he lay wrapped in Jorrin’s furs was a mop of curly red hair that shone in the dim light of the fire.

  Jorrin needed to reenergize the fire to carry him through the end of his watch.

  Cera was right about one thing, they needed to learn why her cousin had come to them. What the hell did it all mean?

  He was sick of being in the dark, especially about the sword.

  I can help if she’ll let me.

  Since she’d saved his hide in the tavern, he hadn’t pushed her.

  At least she’d told him their destination. His empathic magic revealed a little about Cera, but it wasn’t enough.