Errant Spark (Elemental Trials Book 1) Read online

  “Perhaps the younger Torin Gaherith, then?” someone suggested uncertainly.

  The tor shook his head. “While it is true he is closer to her age, he will have little power in his brother’s court. In fact, that arrangement would put the torina in greater danger, without gain, than if she were wed to Min Ha.”

  “We would gain nothing from this so called ‘alliance’, while handing Nareina and Min Ha a bargaining chip at the very least!” Eryk added, “Kylan would be constantly watched, under the guise of Nareina’s guardianship. Any correspondence she sent would be read, her visitors watched.”

  “Torina Sarene—”

  “Sarene may be old enough and clever enough to manage it,” Eryk conceded, smoothly speaking over the objection, “but she is already promised to Davaria. To renege on that arrangement in order to curry favor with Atromore would be unwise. No, councilors, we must arm ourselves against them.”

  A look of calculation crossed the High Mage’s face and he folded his arms, staring directly at the woman from Inntown before shifting his attention to the perspiring Porcus. “Tell me, why propose this now? You know that both the tor and tora must approve such a decision, and as you can see, the tora isn’t here. Would you have dared propose such a thing if she were, or had you hoped Tor Brinon could be persuaded and thus convince his wife?”

  The room was quiet and Councilor Wastrel looked away, refusing to hold his eyes. With a huff, she sat down and folded her hands primly on the table. Porcus and the furtive man who had originally offered up the idea looked just as uncomfortable.

  “I thought as much.” The High Mage’s eyes swept over the rest of the council. “Does anyone else care to support this preposterous motion?”

  No one did.

  With the issue thus tabled, and the troublemakers cowed for the time being, Eryk returned to his seat and talk moved on to more mundane things. The newest representative from Zyr was officially recognized and welcomed. A raise in port taxes was proposed and the opposing factions bickered back and forth for a time before the matter was given to a vote and eventually resolved in favor of a small increase. Someone raised the necessity of repairs to the outer walls and some of the more heavily trafficked streets in Trigon Market and the tor approved the necessary funds. This opened up a floodgate of other petitions for treasury support, some of which were approved, but just as many were not. Couriers and pages were sent hither and yon on various errands and with messages for the appropriate parties. A good-looking redhead caught Jex’s eye and he watched her with interest as she came and went.

  Collin Fin eventually called a halt to all requests for monetary backing and advised that after a brief recess, the crown would begin hearing petitions and grievances of a more personal nature. The chamber began to empty and the din rose as people began talking amongst themselves. Tor Brinon disappeared through a door behind the thrones with the harried Secretary Fin in hot pursuit.

  Looking around until he spotted his brother, the Duque of Darmiad began making his way up the stairs to the back of the room. His progress was slow at first and he was stopped often, but as the crowd thinned, he moved more quickly.

  “Our brother-in-law may refer to them as magpies, but they seem more like jackals to me,” Jordin reflected as he reached the little gathering. He and the three representatives from Turris Arcana exchanged polite greetings before the mages moved away, conferring together quietly.

  Jordin scanned the milling throng and shook his head. “I’m glad Aelani was not here today.”

  Eryk, too, was watching the crowd. “As am I. Although I doubt they would’ve had the courage had she been present. This has more to do with their own political advancement than any true wish to better the kingdom, and what better time to propose such a bold thing than when there is only one ruler present? You’d think they’d know by now, though, that Brinon is not one to trifle with.”

  “Perhaps you’re right, but in any case, it’s good to see you, Eryk.” The two men embraced hard enough that Jex was surprised bones weren’t being crushed under the pressure.

  “And you, Jordin. You should visit more often,” Eryk admonished, stepping back.

  “Turris Arcana is far too cold for me these days. But I forget my manners. Who is your companion?” The duque’s eyes crinkled in a smile as he examined Jex. “Handsome young devil.”

  Before Eryk could make introductions, Jex stepped forward, ducking his head politely. “I am Jex Xander, the newest battlemage to join the ranks at the Tower, Your Grace.”

  Jordin offered his hand and Jex shook it firmly. “You’ve grown up, lad. I didn’t recognize you, as you’re not currently fleeing in terror from my niece.”

  “That seems to be everyone’s clearest memory of my one and only prior visit,” Jex replied, “but it means I don’t have terribly high expectations to live up to, which may be to my advantage.”

  “It’s only an advantage as long as your mouth doesn’t continue working to the exclusion of your Goddess-given brains,” Eryk needled.

  Jex shot his former Sura a dirty look and grumbled something unintelligible under his breath.

  The duque laughed and the three men exited the council chamber together. Several pairs of hostile eyes watched them go.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “She needs to know, certainly, but let’s you and I discuss it first. That’s part of why Brinon summoned us, after all.”

  “Has he told her or do you think Aelani believes this is just a coincidental and well-timed family visit? He’s never been in the habit of keeping secrets, but he also does everything in his power to shield her. His letter certainly made it sound as if he needed the help. You don’t think he’ll come straight here after everything that just happened?”

  “Nay. I don’t think they give the poor bastard enough time to piss between audiences, let alone come all the way up here to visit his wife.”

  Sarene looked up when she heard approaching boot steps and the murmur of voices. A secret smile touched her lips when she saw Jex walking a pace behind her uncles, both of whom were so deep in conversation they seemed to have forgotten him entirely. He looked bleary-eyed and tired, but in good enough spirits. The trio stopped outside a closed door and she watched her Uncle Eryk speak to the younger man for a moment, clap a hand on his shoulder with enough force to nearly buckle his knees, and disappear into her mother’s suite of rooms behind Uncle Jordin. The door closed, leaving Jex alone in the hall. He heaved a put upon sigh and rubbed at his eyes.

  Rising to her feet, she advanced on the somewhat lost looking mage.

  “You look a bit under the weather this morning, sir mage. Are you well?” Sarene asked sweetly, pressing the back of her hand to his forehead. He was indeed warm, but she suspected a night of carousing was more to blame for that than any illness.

  “Despite being locked in with the Grand Council, listening to bureaucrats try and shout one another to death for the last several hours, I feel just fine. Thank you.” The impertinence and ready sarcasm made her want to smile. He’d been the same on his first visit and would likely prove to be as lively a playmate now as then, though she had a different, much more adult, game in mind.

  “You look piqued is all, but I supposed the council can make anyone appear that way.” She spoke deliberately loud and he cringed, tugging at his high collar uncomfortably. Intrigued by something half-glimpsed, she grasped his fingers and pulled them away, then turned down the neck of his tunic and began to laugh.

  “What amuses you so, Torina?” His cheeks colored as he jerked his clothing back into place and ran one hand over his hair.

  “It’s not a physical ailment, nor a morning in council that plagues you,” she accused teasingly, “You had company last night. Was she satisfying?”

  His eyes slid away from hers and he began to reply, some excuse or other she was sure, but holding up a hand imperiously, she cut him off.

  “I guessed you might seek other entertainment after I was forced to leave you and I’
m glad to see you found some. Although,” she trailed off. A frown drew her blond eyebrows together, the delicate lines like spun gold above her calculating green eyes.

  “Although?” he prompted, hoping desperately for a subject change. What he could remember of his bawdy escapades the night before seemed crude now, standing before the perfectly poised Torina Sarene. They were also an unfit topic to discuss with a lady—any lady—regardless of her rank. Jex Xander wasn’t a man to kiss and tell.

  “I had wondered,” she said slowly, touching one manicured nail to her painted pink lips, “if perhaps you enjoyed the company of other men.”

  “What could possibly make you wonder such a thing?” His eyes had gone a bit wide, like those of a naughty little boy caught with his fingers in the pie.

  She smiled wickedly. Though his voice had taken on a blustering, affronted tone, he clearly knew he’d been caught out.

  “You are a very fine-looking man, Battlemage Xander, but a little too…preenish for one who solely takes female lovers. I—”

  “Preenish?” He looked indignant, which only furthered her certainty about his predilections. The mage had taken offense at the insult rather than her supposition.

  “Aye, preenish,” she confirmed, “As in one who spends a great deal of time on their appearance and examines themselves in every reflective surface, like a cat or a peacock. Like you’ve done several times since starting this conversation.”

  He refused to answer, but his hand went to his hair again. She wondered idly if he realized how utterly transparent he was.

  Shrugging, she took his arm, leading him back the way he’d come. “I don’t doubt the majority of your bedfellows are of my own sex, but you’d be lying if you denied any men had warmed your sheets. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me and in fact, I find it a little exciting. A man who knows how to universally pleasure his partner, regardless of gender, is rare indeed. I imagine you’re a favorite in Turris Arcana.”

  “If you know so much, why assume my ‘entertainment’ was female?” His rejoinder was a little tart, but at least he wasn’t trying to flat out deny it.

  She was so bored with the coyness of the men, and women, at court who shared his preferences.

  “The, ah, lady in question is one of my chambermaids. She was quite impressed with your performance, I should add. Shall I punish her for biting you so hard? Some of those have bruised.”

  His head snapped around and he looked down at her, finally meeting her eyes before blurting out, “No. That won’t be necessary.” He was relieved she seemed to only know about one of his ‘guests’ from the previous evening.

  “So you enjoy it?”

  “Black Goddess, that’s none of your business! Do you make a habit of listening to maids gossip about such things? I’m sure that hawk of a nurse you have would be appalled to hear such crude talk from you, young as you are,” he sniffed, taking on a haughty air to cover his embarrassment. She either didn’t know when to stop asking questions or she was deliberately making him uncomfortable. Some women enjoyed that sort of thing, he knew.

  “I’m twenty-one, actually.” Her eyes glittered up at him, impious and carnal. “Not that young, and I don’t need gossip to know about what passes between a man and woman in private. As for Bana, she’s getting old. She doesn’t move as quickly as she used to and I’m clever. I’ve had my share of experience, sir mage.” She uttered this last barely above a whisper.

  “Have you now?”

  He sounded skeptical and his smirk annoyed her.

  Sarene darted a glance up and down the hall to be sure they were alone before pulling him into a nearby alcove, one that he hadn’t noticed on his first pass. While the opening had been all but completely obscured by a rather nice tapestry depicting a mounted knight, he should have seen it. Eryk was always urging him to be more observant, more aware of his surroundings, and this felt like yet another failure on his part to do so. He still didn’t buy the argument that one couldn’t simply torch anything that got in the way and, in his defense, he’d had a lot to think about after the joyful experience of his first Council meeting. Still, he’d missed a potential threat.

  Pressing him against the back wall and stepping close enough to seal their bodies together from chest to hip, Sarene reached up, wound her fingers into his hair, and forced his attention down to her with a tug.

  Then her lush mouth was on his, insistent and hungry and not at all shy or inexpert. Her tongue flickered out to tease his lips and he opened them to permit her entrance, too shocked by her forwardness to do anything but respond on instinct. Of their own volition, he found his arms sliding around her waist and pulling her closer. She was well formed, with curves in all the right places, and those curves were now pressed flush against him. Her hips rolled in sinuous, sensual undulations against his own and she trailed a hand down to firmly grasp his backside.

  This was a bad idea.

  It was a bad idea, and he should put a stop to it immediately, but couldn’t bring himself to push her away. He wasn’t aware of any of the Imperial children being magically gifted. From what he knew of the family, Eryk was the first in generations to display more than a modicum of talent. But Torina Sarene had some kind of hold over him now, a power that bypassed his brain and grabbed him by the libido.

  Lips never leaving his, she grasped one of his hands and brought it to her breast. Her fingers ghosted over the front of his trousers, teasing at the laces, and while he wanted to press into the touch, he restrained himself.

  The part of his mind not currently drowning under her spell recognized this as a game and he was loathe to play without knowing all the rules. Or the stakes.

  Just as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. Sarene tore her mouth away and stepped back from him, crossing her arms over her chest as a triumphant little sneer turned up the corners of her reddened mouth.

  “I,” Jex licked his lips and tried again. “Point taken.”

  Her quiet laugh tinkled through the alcove. “We’re going to get on just fine, Jex Xander.”

  He just bet they were. Eryk seemed to be right about court ladies; they would eat a man alive if he weren’t careful, but he would certainly enjoy it while it was happening. Discovering such fire in a royal daughter was both intriguing and promising, but he would have to tread very, very carefully if he chose to pursue her. Sarene was the type of woman who could turn that flame of passion into one that burned and destroyed with little provocation and even less warning. She could have him executed if the fancy took her.

  At least his time at court wouldn’t be as dull as he’d first thought, not with a challenge like her.

  Quick as lightning, she changed the subject. “Would you like a tour of the palace? I know you’ve been here before, but it was so long ago and the builders have been busy.”

  “If you have the time, I would be honored.”

  * * *

  Egalion’s Imperial palace was a vast, yet well-designed complex of interconnected towers, halls, courtyards, and fine gardens. The main structure, a five storied white citadel that could be seen even at the outer walls of the city, had been erected during the reign of Tora Lynd nearly eight hundred years ago, and it stood atop the ruins of a much older fortress dating, as far as anyone knew, to the time of the Great War. Little remained of the original construction save a few subterranean rooms and a network of tunnels. Subsequent tors and toras had added their own flourishes, keeping more or less to the initial architectural style, with a few notable exceptions. These included a winding maze of rose bushes that bloomed all year round and towered to twice the height of a man, at the center of which lay a perfectly circular pool lined with red and pink stones; a gallery of bizarre and somewhat disconcerting statues that had been known to rearrange themselves at random; and an obsidian tower topped by an observatory whose walls and roof were made entirely of a transparent, shatterproof material that no one could identify. The story of the tower was that Tor Shan, Lynd’s grandson, had built
it for his paramour in an attempt to keep her closer than Turris Arcana.

  The interior of the palace buildings were just as exquisite as the grounds. Graceful archways, marble-paved arcade galleries with dazzling views of the gardens and city, and elegant staircases existed in abundance, while opulent furnishings, tapestries, and carpets filled the many rooms. The central hall housed the suites of the Imperial family, guest rooms, the main audience chamber, and the royal library. The Grand Council and the quarters and offices of the councilors were housed in an octagonal building with a beautiful domed atrium outside the main chamber.

  Considered the greatest structural undertaking in Egalion’s history, the palace was ever changing. Over centuries of slow and ceaseless construction, innumerable craftsman and the most expert artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the kingdom and from as far away as the Keltish Isles. It was truly an aesthetic masterpiece without equal and, separated from the city of Rowan by a thick crenellated wall, it was a world unto itself.

  Jex and Sarene wandered up and down flights of stairs, through corridors, and across several gardens. The torina took him to see the bath houses with a wink and a sultry smile, and even showed him the Hall of the Dead. As they passed the kitchens, he casually swiped a pair of tarts from the windowsill, only to be caught by a servant who wielded her broom with exceptional speed and accuracy despite her advanced age. Eventually forced to hop a small garden fence to escape the shrieking harpy, he lost one of the pastries in the process and was rewarded by howls of laughter from several laborers who, working on the roof, had stopped to watch the spectacle below. The men called encouragement down to the woman, but she only glowered at them, shook her fist at Jex, and retreated inside. Sarene graciously offered to split the remaining sweet with him, stifling a giggle as he picked bits of broom from his hair and clothing with one hand and juggled the crumbling tart in the other.

  They ended up in the stables, Sarene confessing that it was her favorite place in the entire palace. Her mare, Clarity, was stabled within, along with several dozen other mounts that included Jex’s own.