Heart of Fire (11 page)

“What do you think they taste like?
Blue-berries?”

At the last comment, the cluster
erupted into laughter and Fynna crept away, head down.

* * *

Jessalyne took one look at the
bathing tub being carried into her chambers and erupted into a fit
of giggles. Perhaps the volume of wine she had consumed made
Valduuk’s tub look so enormous. But of course, it was sized to fit
him.

His staff, used to filling it for
Valduuk, brought the water level up in no time. Finally alone, she
disrobed and climbed in. There was something so wonderful about a
hot bath after a day’s traveling.

She stretched her legs and tried
unsuccessfully to reach the end of the tub with her toes. She
nudged the soap with her knee, sending it drifting along, a
rudderless ship in a vast sea. A tub this size could hold two
people. Even if one of them was the size of a dark – she failed to
stop herself from completing the thought and a delicious tingle ran
up her spine. Valduuk’s honeyed wine had befuddled her. She closed
her eyes and imagined life in Shaldar City but it was hard to
picture something she’d never seen. Her mind kept wandering back to
Ertemis.

The water cooled before she was
ready to get out. A bathing tub of such magnitude was a rare and
luxurious treat. She wiggled her fingers over the water’s surface
and the temperature rose. She wondered how Ertemis and Valduuk were
getting on with the saddle purchase. The elf’s room was right
across the hall from hers, and she hadn’t heard him come back
yet.

* * *

Ertemis smiled at his own
subterfuge. While Valduuk bargained with the craftsman for the best
price on the tooled leather saddle, he slipped off to the shop next
door. Baubles of every description filled the glass cases. The
shopkeeper eyed him warily until Ertemis jangled the coin pouch on
his belt.

At last, in a small locked case on
the back wall, Ertemis saw something befitting Jessalyne. He
pointed to a large, polished amethyst dangling a massive black
baroque pearl. Caged in gold, the pendant hung from a cord of
lavender silk.

The amethyst’s hue matches the hint
of lavender in her eyes. The pearl’s charcoal nacre danced with an
oily sheen of green and purple.

“You have excellent taste, Master
elf.” Hands trembling slightly, the shopkeeper slipped it from the
case and laid it on a velvet cloth. “Tis a most exquisite
piece.”

Translation—expensive. “Aye, lovely.
How much?”

“You have a fine eye. Very hard to
come by black pearls from the Thracian Sea these days, with the
pirates and what not.”

“How much?”

“All set in the finest gold in the
kingdom, crafted by His Lordship’s own—“

Ertemis smacked the counter,
rattling the glass. “Don’t make me ask again.”

“Aye,” the shopkeeper swallowed hard
and gave Ertemis the price.

“I only want one.”

“That is for one and a very good
price for such an exquisite piece.”

“Codswallop! Do pirates run this
shop? I’ll give you half.”

“Perhaps you would prefer something
less expensive?”

Ertemis growled. The shopkeeper
blanched and began to put the pendant back into the case. Nothing
else Ertemis saw suited her nearly so well. “Wrap it.”

Valduuk was still haggling over the
saddle when he returned. He assured his friend the price was
satisfactory. Ertemis added matching saddlebags to the purchase. At
last, the pair headed back to the Thirsty Troll.

Valduuk handed the goods to one of
his staff. “Let’s sit and enjoy an evening like we used to. I
assure you none of these sad souls has the wherewithal to even
think of taking the Legion up on its offer. Between us, we’d make
lunch of them and they know it.”

Ertemis followed Valduuk to his
private table in the back. The troll beckoned a serving
wench.

“Aye, Master Valduuk, what might I
do for you?” She asked, her gaze fixed on Ertemis.

“My usual. My friend?”

“Ale.” The girl was pretty enough
but too buxom, even for his taste. A silver coin sparkled in the
deep cleft of her cleavage. Apparently, tips were greatly
appreciated.

She licked her lips. “Back in a
moment.”

“I see you haven’t lost your touch
with the ladies.”

“Calling her a lady is taking
liberties.” Ertemis said. The girl had none of Jessalyne’s
sweetness or grace.

Valduuk laughed. “She works hard and
gives me no lip. The customers love her.”

“I can see why. As can everyone
else.”

Valduuk grinned wickedly. “I am sure
Dalayna would willingly keep you company, since Lady Jessalyne
lacks what you seek.”

“You’re the one in need of company,
my friend.” Ertemis changed the subject. He was glad Valduuk knew
nothing of the lavish bauble hidden away in his pocket. “How did
you come to own this bastion of sophistication and
charm?”

“You’re smitten with her.” Valduuk
laughed.

“I am not.” Ertemis scowled at the
troll. “I’ve not had a woman since the siege at Batton Falls and I
don’t intend to start now.”

“All the more reason—”

“Here you go, lads.” The barmaid set
a mug of ale in front of each of them. She leaned so far forward
Ertemis thought the coin in her cleavage might dive into his drink.
“Anything else I might do for you?”

He smiled at her, eager to disprove
Valduuk. “Nay, but don’t wander far.”

Dalayna winked at him, thoroughly
pleased and sauntered off, an extra swaggle in her hips.

“That can only bring you trouble,
brother.” Valduuk smirked. “Lady Jessalyne would be so
disappointed.”

Ertemis raised his glass to Valduuk.
“Get stuffed.”

After a long draught, Valduuk wiped
the foam from his lip with a linen square. “How will you earn the
bond money? I have a little I can spare—”

Ertemis stopped him with a hand.
“I’m not here begging.

“I wasn’t implying—”

“I know.” He stared into his ale.
“She’s paying me. Too much really. I was headed to Shaldar city
sooner or later anyway.”

Valduuk raised a brow.
“Work?”

Ertemis shook his head. “Right after
I deserted, I came across a band of Travelers. They’d heard stories
of me, my mother. According to them, my father lived
there.”

“Travelers will tell you anything
for the right coin.”

“I didn’t pay them.”

“Fear then.”

Ertemis shrugged. “It’s the only
thread I’ve found. Best I unravel it.”

“It’s been a long time.”

“I’ll find him.”

“And then?”

Ertemis drained his mug. “Kill
him.”

Valduuk shook his head, then emptied
his mug as well, bringing Dalayna back to the table with refills
and ending the conversation about Ertemis’s father. Dalayna’s gaze
never strayed from Ertemis. For the rest of the night, he and
Valduuk reminisced about old times.

When the final customer made his way
to the door, the hour was late. Valduuk swallowed the last sip of
his ale. “We shall break bread before you leave in the morning. I
look forward to more of Lady Jessalyne’s company.”

“In the morning then.” Ertemis
clapped his friend on the back and headed up to his
room.

* * *

Jessalyne fell asleep after her long
soak but an ache in her legs and backside woke her when she
shifted. So much for being unaffected by bareback riding. She eased
herself to the side of the bed and bent to pick her rucksack off
the floor. She searched through the bag for a tin of white willow
salve.

She found it just as she heard a
door close across the hall and realized Ertemis was just now
turning in. He and Valduuk must have been up reminiscing. It was
nice to know he had a friend like Valduuk. Surprising actually. Now
that the elf was in his room, she could ask him to knock on her
door when he rose in the morning. The thought reminded her of
another morning when she’d barged in on him. Remember to knock. She
grinned. Maybe he’d try to kiss her goodnight.

Maybe she’d let him.

She hobbled to the door, wincing at
her aching lower half. This will not do. If he sees me limping
he’ll think me weak. Steady yourself, it’s just a little
ache.

Jessalyne inhaled deeply and closed
her eyes. Ignore the pain. Just for a few moments.

She opened the door slowly, not
wanting to wake any of the other guests. One of the serving girls
from the tavern stood before Ertemis’s door. Jessalyne remembered
her because of her excessive bosom. As if the girl’s assets were
not enough, she was additionally blessed with thick chestnut waves
and large hazel eyes.

Jessalyne closed her door to a
sliver and despite the slow twist of her insides, kept watching.
Without so much as a knock, the girl turned the knob and slipped
inside.

Stung, Jessalyne shut the door and
stumbled back to bed. Betrayal was a feeling she had no right to.
She was only business to him. Still, she wasn’t paying him to…to…do
whatever he was doing across the hall. She snatched the salve from
off the bed and rubbed it into her sore muscles. The pain brought
clarity.

What he does is his business. I’m
behaving foolishly. Obviously, he prefers a much different sort of
woman. A sort of woman I will never be.

“I never mingle business with
pleasure.” Ertemis’s earlier words echoed in her head. Fine.
Business she would be. She tucked the pot of salve back into her
bag, wrapped herself in the coverlet and mercifully, fell
asleep.

* * *

How would he present the necklace to
her at the end of their trip? He stuffed one arm beneath his pillow
and stared at the ceiling. She wore no jewelry but perhaps that was
because she had none, not because she disliked it. Would she kiss
him in thanks? That would be worth the price alone.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose.
What was she doing to him? He was the most dangerous creature in
the kingdom and he was buying pretty baubles for a woman who didn’t
even like him. Just the thought of her face lighting up with that
smile—the door creaked softly and light leaked in.

Someone had entered his
room.

What little ale he’d had did nothing
to dull his senses. He picked up a rapid heartbeat and the mingled
smells of ale, stale smoke and oversweet perfume. A woman. But not
Jessalyne, unfortunately. He inhaled again. The scent was familiar.
Dalayna. Lust came off her in waves.

He was in no mood for games. If
Valduuk had sent her, he would deal with his friend in the morning.
To his fey eyes the darkened room was lit like lastlight, dusky but
not too dark to see. He watched her for a moment before slipping
silently out of bed. She stood by the door, trying to get her
bearings.

He pulled his trousers on, and drew
back the curtains to give her some light. Moonlight spilled into
the room. “Did Valduuk send you?

She jumped, then giggled. “Nay, I
came on my own. I thought you might like some company.” She walked
toward him, hips swaying. “I know I would.”

Ertemis groaned. He should have
known better. “I don’t need company. I need sleep.”

“Mmmm...” she purred, staring at his
bare chest. “Very nice.” She reached out and drew her nails down
his rippled stomach muscles. “Just think how well you’ll sleep
afterwards. I promise you won’t be disappointed. I’ve heard enough
stories to know I won’t be.”

She put her hand out to touch him
again. Ertemis stepped back. She followed and Ertemis grabbed her
wrist. “You need to go. Now.”

“I know you want me, I saw the way
you looked at me downstairs,” she pouted. “Do you deny
it?”

“It was the ale, nothing more,” he
said.

“I don’t believe you.” Dalayna
slipped her free hand into the waist of his partially buttoned
trousers before Ertemis could stop her. She wrapped her fingers
around him, gasping in delight. “Those stories don’t lie, do
they?”

Ertemis snatched her hand away and
in one swift motion, captured both her wrists. “Don’t ever touch me
again.”

“You’re hurting me,” she
whimpered.

“I’m just giving you a story to
tell.” He sneered. “Isn’t that what you want?”

Humiliation welled in her eyes.
“Muddled blood fool.” She wrenched her hands away and cupped her
breasts. “You would turn these down for that shapeless mare you’re
traveling with? How much coin has that whey-faced princess given
you? Or perhaps you dream she’s a high born elfess when you’re
inside her?”

How dare she speak of Jessalyne that
way? Ertemis grabbed the girl and hauled her to the door. She
kicked and mewed as he opened it. He put his lips to her ear. “What
makes you think I’d want what everyone else has already had? How
pathetic. I’d sooner have my hand than lay you.” He pushed her out.
“Stay gone or Valduuk will hear about this.”