by Rin Grey
Digger wondered if she could tell the difference too.
After the sausages were on, as if to distract herself from the events in the next room, Gemma sat down opposite him and asked, “So, what did you and Elizabeth do before you came here? I’m guessing from a couple of things she’s said that Elizabeth was, what do you call them, a mercenary?”
Digger shrugged. “Yeah, I guess that’s how others would have described her.” The term was inadequate to describe what he and Elizabeth had done, but right now, he wanted to keep Gemma talking. He was pretty sure he’d heard a zap of magic in the other room. What was going on in there?
“And you were too? You don’t seem the type.” Gemma’s voice sounded a little disdainful.
Digger gave a genuine laugh at that. “No, I never thought so either. In fact, we all used to sneer at mercenaries when I was in the guards.”
Hoping the story would distract Gemma, he readily let her questions lead him into the whole sorry tale. The boy and girl fleeing from the guards, Elizabeth rescuing him, and how much his life had changed in that moment. He probably portrayed Elizabeth in a more glowing light than the story required, but he couldn’t help it. He’d never forget that day.
Gemma listened, enthralled, and Digger was relieved that she didn’t even seem to notice what sounded like an explosion in the next room.
“And Elizabeth and I have been adventuring ever since,” he concluded, wondering what he was going to use now to distract her now.
But he needn’t have worried. Gemma had more than enough questions. “What adventures? What sort of things did the two of you do then?”
“Anything and everything,” Digger filled in. “There was no shortage of people who needed help in Niacin, and most of them were willing to pay for it.”
“So it was all about the money?” Gemma asked. Digger might have bristled at that, but there was no malice in her question, only curiosity.
“Rarely, though we did have to pay the bills,” he admitted. “Somehow though, we never seemed to have trouble making ends meet, even though Elizabeth only ever took on jobs that helped people. She hated to see anyone downtrodden or left with no choices, and she seemed to have a knack for telling who was in the right of the situation. She was… is… an amazing woman to work with.”
Gemma was silent for a moment, then asked out of the blue, “So, is your name really Digger, or is that a nickname? Mercenaries use nicknames rather than their real names, don’t they?”
“Yes and no,” Digger admitted ruefully. “It is a nickname, but it has nothing to do with being a mercenary. I received it I worked in the guards. My dad was a miner, you see, and my favourite comment about any duty, be it sitting watch on the night shift or scrubbing the guard room floor, was that it was better than digging in the mines. So people started calling me Digger in jest, and it kind of stuck.”
“So what’s your real name? If you don’t mind telling me, that is,” Gemma added hurriedly.
For some reason, Digger hesitated, but there was no point in keeping his name a secret. Elizabeth had seen to it that his ‘desertion’ from the guards had been made lawful, so he had nothing to hide. “Josh Harrison,” he admitted.
Gemma smiled. “Josh. It suits you. Do you mind if I call you Josh? It seems so much more… normal, than Digger.”
“Sure.” It was a bit late to say no now. And there really was no reason to.
The sounds in the next room had subsided, finally, and when Digger heard furniture being moved, he judged it was safe to return. “I’d better see if they need a hand with anything.” He stood up.
Gemma’s relaxed mood evaporated, and she followed him into the other room with an expression of trepidation.
Digger had to admit to being a little nervous himself. It had sounded as though Elizabeth had been letting off some major magic in that room.
Yet when he entered, the room looked completely normal. Mitch looked on the verge of exhaustion though, so Digger stepped in to help Elizabeth move the furniture back into place.
While she appeared to be as energetic as ever, long experience told Digger that the strain lines around her eyes were a result of using too much magic. She might not show it, but it always took a toll on her.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mitch trying to watch Gemma without being noticed. He was obviously afraid that his mother was going to chastise him, but after the room in some way resembled its earlier state, she simply said, “You’d all better come eat. It looks like you’ve had an exhausting afternoon.”
Everyone was hungry enough that dinner was a relatively silent affair. Mitch looked like he had a lot on his mind, and Elizabeth’s attention seemed centred single mindedly on her plate.
Gemma watched both of them, concern on her face, but said nothing. Digger decided to follow her lead, for now at least.
Finally, when they’d all pushed their plates away, Elizabeth broke the silence. “Congratulations are in order. Mitch passed his final test with flying colours. He is now a fully trained mage.”
Digger searched her face, but could see nothing other than a combination of tiredness and relief. She was glad it was over, and he didn’t think anything had gone wrong, despite the strange sounds from the other room.
Mitch blushed, and despite any reservations she may have had, Gemma smiled proudly at him. “Congratulations, Mitch,” she said.
Digger added his voice to hers. “Congratulations, Mitch.” He included Elizabeth in his smile, knowing today had been a strain on her. “I think this calls for a celebratory drink.”
A smile flashed across Elizabeth’s face and she nodded agreement, but froze halfway through the motion. Her eyes widened and flew to his, and for a second, panic flashed across her face.
Her reaction threw him completely. What was her issue?
It was only when he looked over at Gemma that the reason for her reaction became clear. Her daughter stared back, twisting the dishrag in her hands, her face pale.
This wasn’t about him, this was something between Gemma and Elizabeth. Digger frowned. What was wrong? He’d put his foot in it, that much was obvious, but he wasn’t quite sure how.
Mitch, though, grinned from ear to ear.
Elizabeth saw Mitch’s excitement and gave an almost believable smile. She looked over at Gemma. “Do you have anything in the house?” Her voice was quiet, a little sympathetic.
The fear had faded a little from Gemma’s face, though she still didn’t look impressed. But she looked over at her son’s happy, smiling face, and nodded. She walked over to the cupboard and pulled out what Digger suspected was the medicinal bottle of ale, her movements jerky. She handed it to Elizabeth and fetched four glasses.
Elizabeth stared at the bottle, an expression on her face that was almost a scowl.
Now Digger was sure he should have shut up. He should have suggested some other kind of celebration. But how could he have expected this sort of a reaction?
Elizabeth poured four glasses and handed one to each of them. “To Mitch,” she said solemnly. She held up her glass.
“To Mitch,” Digger repeated along with Gemma.
The teenage grin on Mitch’s face as he took his first sip almost made up for Elizabeth and Gemma’s clear discomfort.
Digger followed Mitch’s example and downed his drink. He glanced over at Elizabeth, only to see her twisting the glass in her fingers, the ale untouched. Gemma was doing the same.
Before Digger could ask what was going on, there was a knock at the door.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Digger glanced over at Gemma.
She shook her head as she got up and headed into the other room. Digger rose to follow her, loath to leave her to answer the door by herself at this time of night. If it had been Elizabeth, he wouldn’t have thought twice about it. But Gemma couldn’t look after herself the way Elizabeth could.
He was right behind her, looking over her shoulder as she opened the door.
“Can I help you?�
�� Gemma said to the young man who stood there.
He was young, maybe twenty, with a mop of bright red hair, and his clothes were fancy and out of place in this part of Asherad. He inclined his head politely to Gemma. “I’m looking for Mage Elizabeth Salinga.”
Only another mage would call Elizabeth that, and Digger could think of only one reason another mage would be here. An icy hand griped his heart, and his hands clenched into fists. Not that he would dare try to fight this man, even if he thought it would achieve anything—he stood no chance against a mage.
Bitterness welled up in him. This was the moment he’d been dreading. He hadn’t expected it to come to soon. Had, if he admitted the truth, hoped it would never come.
“I’ll just get her,” Gemma said readily, and turned to leave Digger with the young man.
But Elizabeth was already in the hallway.
The man smiled when he saw her, recognition in his eyes. And Digger turned quickly to see an answering smile on Elizabeth’s face. The expression was so unaffected, so happy, he had to turn away, his heart twisting.
She’d never looked at him like that, and he suspected she never would.
Why had he ever said he could accept this? He should have left the moment she’d said she couldn’t give the other man up. But then, he’d never expected to have her lover flaunted in his face.
Digger didn’t bother to hide the scowl on his face as he stared at the mage.
The man looked back at him, and Digger was a little disconcerted to find his expression curious, but not angry or haughty as he had expected. Did he not know?
Or was he so confident that he experienced no jealousy at all?
“Lord O’Connell, can I help you?” Elizabeth’s words were formal, but there was a smile in her voice.
The man bowed ever so slightly. “Mage Salinga, I have a message for you.”
Elizabeth nodded to Digger. “Can you give us a minute?”
Digger searched her face, but there was no hint of the guilt he would have expected.
He began to suspect he was missing something. None of this was playing out quite the way he’d expected it to. Was this her mage, or not? He had no way of knowing, and he didn’t think either of them were going to enlighten him.
And he didn’t think demanding an answer was going to get him anywhere right now.
Not trusting himself to speak, Digger simply nodded and walked back into the kitchen, hearing the soft click of the door as Elizabeth stepped outside with the man and closed the door behind her.
He stared at the bottle of ale, ruefully deciding it wasn’t big enough to make even a dent in the conflicted feelings that swirled through his heart.
Chapter 5 - Surprises
Once the door closed behind Digger, Jon dropped the formalities. “Hi, Elizabeth.” He gave her a warm smile.
Elizabeth couldn’t help smiling back, despite the issues his visit had the potential to cause. “Hi, Jon. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? I’m guessing you weren’t just in the neighbourhood?”
She was glad to see him, of course, but she’d seen the look on Digger’s face. He thought this was something else. Like she needed more questions. At least it might distract him from asking about that scene with Gemma and the alcohol. She suppressed a wince. She really didn’t feel like explaining that one.
When did her life get so complicated?
“I’m here with a message from Hugo, actually,” Jon said.
“Hugo?” Elizabeth wasn’t sure if she was more surprised that he called the king by his first name, or that the king was sending her a message via her son.
“Yes, he wanted me to warn you that he’s sending someone to test Mitchell tomorrow.”
For some reason, her heart fluttered at the thought. “Tomorrow?”
Elizabeth winced. She was repeating everything he said like a parrot. He must think she’d lost it. But she hadn’t expected this so soon. She’d thought she would have a few days to prepare Mitch, but it was almost as if the king knew she’d finished the final test.
Mitch had barely recovered from this afternoon’s test. She wasn’t sure he was ready to go through that all again.
But it wouldn’t be the same this time. He would know it was a test right from the beginning. That would make it easier, wouldn’t it?
Jon nodded. “He seemed to think you were ready.” He raised an eyebrow. “If not, I can let him know you need more time…” He trailed off.
Elizabeth hesitated, and not just because she wasn’t sure she should ask the king for more time. The reality was that the test was never going to be easy. If she didn’t do it tomorrow, then it would hang over Mitch’s head until it was done. “No, we’re ready. Or as ready as we’ll ever be.” Might as well get it over with.
Until the next thing at least.
Jon nodded. “Shall I tell him you’ll be ready then?”
Elizabeth nodded. “We’ll be ready.” She leaned back against the doorframe, not wanting the conversation to be over. She wished she could invite him in, introduce him to Gemma and Mitch, have a semi-normal family for once. But since she couldn’t, she searched for something to draw the conversation out, just a little, to enjoy these precious moments with the son she’d never expected to meet. “Since when did the king start sending Seekers out with his messages? I would have thought you had more important things to do.”
Jon seemed as eager to linger as she was. He leaned back on the porch railing, shrugged, and said, “There isn’t much I can do right now, since I don’t have a partner. Sean doesn’t send Seekers out alone, and there aren’t any he thinks are suitable to partner me with at the moment.” His voice was quiet and a little wistful.
But his words twisted Elizabeth’s stomach, reminding her of Sean’s deception. She expected it from him, but she hadn’t thought she would get the same thing from Jon. Sean had involved him in his little lie, making it was clear that while he might be allowing her to see her son, he still held the reins.
This wasn’t Jon’s fault. He’d sworn an oath to Sean. He could hardly disobey his prince. No, it was Sean she blamed.
But there was no need for Jon to lie to her. “You don’t have to pretend for me,” she said softly. “I’ve already talked to Sean.”
“Talked to him about what?” Jon raised an eyebrow and met her look without hesitation. He actually looked confused.
He was good. But then again, he did have Sean for a father.
“I know Sean set that whole thing up.” She waved a hand. “The explosion was very convincing, but there were only a few people present who could have created it. And Sean as good as admitted he was behind it.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Jon said stiffly, “but if you’re implying that I was somehow involved in faking Carlos’s death, you’re way off the mark.”
His voice sounded angry. Genuine. Elizabeth stared at him, uncertain.
She’d been so sure, after talking to Sean. But if Jon didn’t know…
Could Sean have somehow fooled Jon too? That seemed unlikely, given how Jon had explained the Seeker magic to her.
Was it possible Sean had implied that he set her up when he didn’t? Elizabeth stared at Jon in confusion. “But Sean… Freck, what game is he playing? Your partner really is dead?”
“Yes, he really is.” Jon’s voice was curt. She’d hurt him.
She winced. Why did she keep doing this? Why could she never say the right thing?
“I’m sorry, Jon,” she said softly. “I talked to Sean, and he left me with the impression that… that wasn’t the case. But that’s between him and me. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”
Jon remained stiff for a moment, staring at her, then relaxed. “No, of course not. I just… I’m finding it kind of hard to believe myself I guess.” He looked a little lost, and Elizabeth wished she dared give him a hug, but she had no idea if anyone was watching from inside the house.
“Thank you for bringing the messag
e,” she said instead, feeling the inadequacy of the words keenly.
“That’s all right,” Jon replied. He glanced towards the lighted window. “I’d better not keep you, your family is probably waiting.” There was a hint of longing in his voice, and Elizabeth wished he didn’t have to leave. But the reality was that neither of them had a choice.
“Probably,” she agreed. “Your… mother… is probably waiting for you too.” It was hard to say those words, to call someone else his mother, but in all but one fact, it was true.
Jon nodded. “Yes, Mother and Sean are probably holding dinner for me, so I’d better get home.”
His words were so casual. He could have been anyone talking about returning home for dinner. But they hit Elizabeth like a blast of ice cold magic. “Your mother and Sean?” she asked faintly. He couldn’t possibly mean…
Jon didn’t seem to notice her stunned expression. He just shrugged. “Yes, usually one or the other of them is busy somewhere, so it’s rare that we all sit down to dinner together.”
When he said ‘together’, did he mean…? She stared at him, but he didn’t elaborate, and she had to ask. “Sean and your mother… are living together?” She hoped her voice sounded steadier than she felt.
Apparently not, for Jon looked at her in concern. “Of course they are. They’ve been married for several years now. Didn’t Sean tell you?”
Married? That shocked her more than anything else he’d said tonight. She was glad she was leaning against the door, because her knees felt weak and her head was spinning.
That bastard. He’d never even hinted at this.
“It… must have slipped his mind,” Elizabeth managed to keep her voice light. At least, she hoped it was light.
“I’m sorry, I should have been more careful,” Jon said regretfully.
Elizabeth felt angry at Sean for putting their son in that position. Again. Sean should have been the one to tell her.
“No. Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault. And goodness knows how long Sean might have neglected to mention it. I really think it is something I should know.” She was relieved her voice was stronger now. A little of the anger she felt creeping in.
