by Rin Grey
“Well, it would be better now than when the other one returns,” Digger pointed out.
“There will be no need,” Elizabeth said with certainty.
“And if your lover is quite happy to be rid of the competition?” Digger asked bitterly.
Elizabeth glanced over at him, then said gently, “Then I will take both of them. But it won’t be necessary.”
Digger searched her face and saw nothing but confidence and certainty in it. Slightly reassured, he nodded, even though he still couldn’t stomach eating.
Even Elizabeth had finished eating and was starting to get restless after nearly an hour of waiting.
“What’s taking so long?” Digger asked impatiently. “I thought this teleportation thing was instantaneous.”
“It is, but talking and making decisions isn’t,” Elizabeth said reasonably.
To pass the time, Digger picked up her hand and stared at the ring that had caught the light as she held it up to show the mage. It was on her left hand, but her first finger. “What’s this?” he asked conversationally.
Elizabeth glanced down at it and shrugged. “It’s the King’s Seal.”
Digger raised an eyebrow. “The King’s Seal? No wonder they took notice of you.”
Elizabeth laughed. “It’s nothing special. Every mage in Linarra has one. The colour proclaims your rank. Mine is green, indicating that I’m a mage, but not a Cardinal, which would be red.”
“I’ve never seen it before,” Digger said. The conversation was slightly discomforting, but not as discomforting as wondering if the mages were going to try to kill him.
“I don’t usually like to proclaim that I’m from Linarra,” Elizabeth said dryly. “But it has its uses from time to time.”
“Like proving who you are to Dome mages?” Digger pointed out.
“Like that,” Elizabeth agreed with a smile. “Although I’m sure I could have convinced them anyway. It just would have taken longer.”
Digger was about to ask her what sort of things she might say to convince them when she jerked her head up again, staring off at a blank space just ahead of them.
Digger looked too, and this time he was able to see the slight shimmer in the air that materialised into two more mages.
Great, now there were three of them.
Elizabeth was on her feet before Digger realised that the third mage was the young man who had visited Gemma’s house to tell them about Mitch’s evaluation. Prince Veryn’s son. Digger swore under his breath. Did this indicate an improvement in his situation, or the opposite?
Elizabeth wasn’t even aware of his concerns. She was smiling at the young man, and he at her.
Digger just hoped that she remembered her promise to protect him if necessary.
“Mage Salinga,” the mage said, the formality of his words belied by the friendliness of his smile. “May I have a word, please?”
Digger clenched his teeth, but he was a slightly relieved when Elizabeth paused and looked in his direction. “I’ll just be a minute. Are you going to be all right?”
As if he had any choice. Digger nodded, and the two of them walked off towards a couple of trees. He was unsurprised when the other two mages blatantly blocked his path.
As if he had been intending to follow them. He knew when he wasn’t wanted. Tiredly, he sat down on the log again.
*****
Elizabeth followed Jon to the small stand of trees, waiting for him to say something. She wouldn’t admit it to Digger, but his comment about Sean wanting to remove the competition had shaken her somewhat. But surely he wouldn’t have sent Jon, if that were the case?
Jon’s opening words confirmed it. “Sean said to tell you he had no idea you were here, or that the man was your, um…” Jon broke off, blushing.
Elizabeth felt the heat colour her face too, but refused to hide what was going on. She had nothing to feel guilty about. “My boyfriend?” she asked casually.
Jon searched her face. “Elizabeth, it’s probably none of my business, but Sean told me about the baby, and… well…?” He broke off again.
There was no hint of judgement in his look. Only curiosity, and perhaps a little concern.
Elizabeth sighed. “Don’t ask. I have no idea myself.”
Jon stared at her for a few moments, then cleared his throat and nodded. “Right. Well, um, the deal is that your… he… that man,” he came up with finally, “has a magical item of some sort. Alexis and Iken were sent to collect it.”
“You mean steal it?”
Jon winced. “That’s one way to put it. Though the chances are high that whoever has it now only has it because they stole it, so it’s not all bad.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Possibly, but the reality is that they weren’t going to stop and find that out, were they? Two mages for one normal man? Really? And they didn’t even give him an option to give it up without a fight.”
She couldn’t help being a little shaken at what had almost happened. If she hadn’t been here…
“Elizabeth, if someone outside of the Dome is collecting magic items, what do you think that means?” Jon pointed out.
Up until a few months ago, Elizabeth never would have expected that magic—items or people—survived very long outside the Dome, if it even existed in the first place. But seeing the Salingas’ collection, and their long history with magic, had changed things. She wondered if Sean had any idea.
The fact that the Salingas had that many items hadn’t bothered her for some reason. The thought of someone else though…
The images from the journal, the man throwing magic wildly, flashed through her head. She gave a shudder. “The Dome is worried about magical attacks?” she guessed.
Did they know as much as Jocelyn did? They had to. But they did a very good job at not letting on. The mages in the Dome thought they were safe. Elizabeth wondered how true that really was.
Jon confirmed her speculation with a brief nod.
How much did he know? Did his position as Seeker give him any inside information? Elizabeth searched his face, but could see no hint of anything other than him completing a job.
One that she couldn’t deny had to be done. “Digger’s not going to be happy about giving it up,” she warned. “Duping your employer, especially if he’s a mage or has mages working for him, is not good in the mercenary scene.”
Jon nodded. “I can imagine. But he may not have to. Your presence has given Sean a different idea. This could be our chance to find out more about these mages, if they are actually mages. He’s willing to let Digger deliver the magic item, if he can find out who they are for us.”
It was a bold plan, but one that could just work. Elizabeth nodded, a little excited about being involved in helping the Dome with something that might turn out to be important. “We’ll see what we can do.”
She was about to turn and return to talk to Digger, when Jon put a hand on his shoulder. “Not you, Elizabeth.”
She frowned, her excitement evaporating to be replaced with irritation. “What do you mean?”
“Sean said I was to bring you back with me,” Jon said apologetically. He looked a little embarrassed but resolute.
Elizabeth felt her own face heat. Of course Sean wasn’t going to actually let her do this. But she refused to be dragged home in disgrace. If Sean though he could do that… her hands clenched into fists.
Not only that, he thought she’d just abandon Digger in a potentially dangerous situation. Perhaps he didn’t know her at all. “You really think I’m going to let Digger, a normal human, go into what is probably a bunch of criminal mages on his own?” she asked softly.
“Do you think it’s better to send a Dome mage in there?” Jon responded instantly. “They’ll see you coming a mile away. Your presence would actually put him in more danger.”
Elizabeth wavered. He had a point, but that didn’t make her feel any better about it. “Send someone else then. I won’t ask Digger to take that kind of risk for the Dom
e. They don’t owe him anything.” Typical of Sean to think he had the right.
“He was the one who chose this job. If we do a swap in the middle, they’ll be suspicious. Really, he’ll be in no more danger than he was already,” Jon pointed out, his voice reasonable. “All we need is a location. Anything else he discovers in the process is just a bonus. We’ll follow up on our own, promise.”
Elizabeth gritted her teeth to keep from swearing. It wasn’t Jon’s fault, he was just doing his job. It was his father she wanted to rage at. And his father she would have to discuss her concerns with. After a few deep breaths, she nodded. “I’ll ask Digger. Then I’ll take it up with Sean.”
Jon looked relieved. “Thanks, Elizabeth.”
“Don’t thank me, I’m doing this under duress,” Elizabeth spat. Then she softened her tone. “But it’s Sean I’m angry at, not you.”
Jon managed a wry smile. “I pity him when you get back.”
Elizabeth laughed harshly and walked back to Digger.
*****
Digger saw her returning and winced at the fury on her face. She walked past the mages as though they were unimportant and waved a hand over her shoulder to them, saying curtly, “Leave us.”
Digger saw them glance towards the prince’s son, who nodded slightly, and the three of them returned to the tree where Elizabeth had been moments earlier.
That relieved Digger’s mind of one thing. It appeared Elizabeth had enough sway that she didn’t even have to fight those mages to protect him. Sleeping with princes had its advantages apparently.
How ironic that he had a reason to be thankful for her involvement with that man.
“I take it that didn’t go so well?” Digger guessed.
Elizabeth shrugged. “It depends how you define well, I guess,” she said bitterly.
“What’s wrong?” Digger asked with concern. Not for himself anymore, but for her.
Her next words confirmed his worry. “I have to go back.” Her face indicated she wasn’t happy about it, which relieved him to an extent. At least she wasn’t completely under this man’s sway. Yet.
Her agreement to return when ordered did raise red flags. Despite knowing he probably shouldn’t, Digger raised an eyebrow and said, “What, you’re going to limp back with your tail between your legs? That doesn’t sound like you, Liz.”
For a brief moment he had an exhilarating thought that maybe, if the prince annoyed her enough, she’d have a big fight with him and leave him.
He winced as soon as the words were out of his mouth. Did he really want to provoke her into yelling at the man who apparently had all the power at his command? Not to mention a reason to have a personal issue with Digger’s existence.
Elizabeth didn’t even flinch. “No, I’m going to go back and yell at the man who thinks he has any right to tell me what I can and can’t do,” Elizabeth growled. “But that’s my problem. Unfortunately, you have one too.”
She was distracting him, but it concerned him enough that it worked. “I do?” Perhaps he wasn’t so protected after all.
“Yeah, apparently it’s the item you’re delivering that they’re after.”
He was unexpectedly relieved. “Well, at least it’s not me,” he joked, wringing an unwilling smile from Elizabeth. “What do they want with it?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Apparently it’s magic, and the Dome seems to think that anything magical belongs to them.”
Digger heaved a sigh. “Of course they do.” Elizabeth may have understated his problem. “Freck, Liz, I can’t turn up in Niacin without it. I’ll never get any work again if I do.”
So much for trying to make a new life for himself. Where could he go, if not Niacin? He certainly didn’t want to go back to Arlis. He’d burned his bridges there too. And he had no wish to remain in Asherad.
“I know. I’m just not quite sure that the alternative is any better.”
There was an alternative? Digger grimaced. “Spit it out.”
“They’re even more interested in knowing who’s behind it. They’re willing to let the item go in the interest of finding out who wants it.”
“Me, work for the Dome?” Digger asked in disbelief.
Elizabeth grinned. “When you put it like that…” Then her face grew more serious. “Unfortunately, it has been suggested that it would be a bad idea for me to accompany you. Much as I don’t like the idea of sending you in alone, Sean does have a point. As a mage, I might scare them off.”
Digger’s heart sank. So much for hoping she’d defy the prince and return to him. Instead, he was losing her. Right now. Without any warning or time to prepare his heart for the fact that he’d probably never see her again.
A few days ago, he’d accepted that. Then she’d agreed to come with him, and despite knowing it was a really bad idea, he’d let himself hope that things might not be completely over.
And Elizabeth had seemed to want that too. Right up until the prince had interfered.
If only Digger had the same kind of power he had.
Well, they did want something from him…
“I’ll do it,” Digger said quickly, “under one condition.”
“What?” Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled with amusement.
“I’ll only deal with you,” Digger said bluntly. “If they want the info, I’ll give it to you. What you do with it then is your choice.”
Elizabeth’s smile disappeared at that, and Digger could see her turning the idea over in her mind. He wondered if he was pushing things too far, but he couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing her again, and he couldn’t forgive himself if he didn’t do everything he could to prevent it.
When she finally nodded, Digger heaved a sigh of relief. “I’ll see what I can do,” she said.
She turned and waved to the prince’s son. He spoke briefly to the other two, then came across alone to talk to them.
He smiled as he came near, but his smile slowly turned to a frown as Elizabeth explained Digger’s condition. He looked from one to the other, shook his head, and said bluntly, “Well you can come and explain it to Sean, Elizabeth. I’m not dealing with this one.”
Digger was momentarily distracted by the fact that he apparently called his father by his first name. And he apparently wasn’t happy about defying him. Despite himself, Digger felt a little sorry for the man.
“With pleasure,” Elizabeth responded promptly, and Digger couldn’t keep his spirits from lifting. Despite all the ways this could go wrong, he didn’t even consider backing out. For a chance to see Elizabeth again, he’d take the risk.
He only wished he could watch her take the fight to the prince.
The mage shook his head again, but this time a slight grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I do believe you’re looking forward to it.”
“Oh yes, I’m working up a good rage. It will be quite a show,” Elizabeth promised.
The prince’s son laughed. “I’ll reserve judgement. Shall we get it over with?”
Elizabeth nodded, then turned to Digger. “We’ll be back soon,” she promised.
She waited for his nod before walking back with the prince’s son.
The mage talked to his companions who, after glancing at Digger several times, nodded their heads. Then the young man took Elizabeth’s hand and before Digger could even frown, the space in front of him was empty.
Now she was gone, he couldn’t help wondering if her defiance would help him or make the situation worse. What if the prince refused to let her return? Did Digger really have any sway, or would it just make the prince more angry at him?
Not that he could do anything about it except wait.
For the third time that day, he sat down on the old log and sighed glumly.
Chapter 15 - Defiance
When Jon took Elizabeth’s hand, he also took control of the teleport, so she was somewhat surprised to find herself in a large circular room with an elaborate spiral pattern of tiles covering the floor. Several doors exited
the room, and Jon headed for the nearest one.
Elizabeth followed, asking, “Where are we?”
“Sean’s palace.” Jon turned to her in surprise. “You haven’t been here before?”
Elizabeth shook her head mutely, trying not to stare around her too much. She’d always wanted to see his palace, but this wasn’t quite how she’d expected it to happen.
Best not to focus on it, or she might find her bravado deserting her. It didn’t matter if Sean was a prince with a palace, or that she had no place in this part of his world. That didn’t mean she had to let him walk all over her or put a man she cared about in danger.
They walked down a corridor and into a large, open room where a woman sat at a desk, writing something on a piece of paper in front of her. She smiled when she saw Jon. “Good afternoon again, Jon. He said to send you straight in.” She looked at Elizabeth curiously, but did nothing more than nod politely.
Jon opened a door on the opposite side of the room, then stepped to one side. “After you,” he said courteously.
Elizabeth suspected his gallantry had far more to do with the fact that he didn’t want to face Sean than anything else, so she poked her tongue out at him, eliciting a surprised laugh, then ducked under his arm and into the room.
Sean was seated behind a sizeable wooden desk against one wall. Behind him, shelves were covered with an assortment of items that would have been right at home in Melana and Jarkarl’s study, and another door led who knew where. On the opposite wall, a large, comfortable looking couch sat under a window that looked out on gardens.
This small room oozed far more of his personality than any of his secondary houses she’d visited.
Sean glanced up as they came in, waiting until Jon had followed her and closed the door behind him. “It is done?” he asked, as though it were a foregone conclusion.
“Not exactly,” Jon said with a rueful smile.
Sean frowned and looked to Elizabeth. “What is the problem?” Of course he assumed it was her. Well, she probably didn’t blame him for that one. Jon seemed very honest and obedient, and he probably didn’t cause Sean many problems at all.
