Dagger-Star

by Elizabeth Vaughan

  They sat by the dying fire as Red explained. Fael’s eyebrows kept going up and up at her words, but he listened carefully and didn’t interrupt.

  When she was done, he leaned back again. “You have trusted me with much, Red.”

  She shrugged. “If I’d have you as an ally, I must trust, Fael.”

  “Yet you refuse me, for Josiah’s sake.”

  Red nodded.

  Fael shook his head. “Ah, Red. If I’d have done as you have…made the same decision.” He sighed. “Well, what’s past is past.”

  That made little sense to Red, but they’d drunk more than enough ale that it might make sense to him.

  “My servants will see you to your lonely bed.” Fael’s tone softened his words. “You’ve given me much to think on. In the morning, we’ll talk. Maybe spar a bit, eh? And we will see.”

  And with that, Red had to be content.

  LADY High Priestess Evelyn was surprised by the knock on the door of her room. But she was even more shocked to find Red Gloves standing there, scowling, her arms filled with bedding.

  “What?”

  Red pushed past her and into the room. “I’m sleeping here tonight.”

  Evelyn looked out into the cold hall, then closed the door quickly to keep in the warmth. Red dumped the bedding before the fire, and started to take off her sword belt. Evelyn pulled her robe close around her body. “I assumed that—”

  “You assumed wrong.” Red knelt and started to arrange the blankets in a pallet.

  The stone floor was cold under Evelyn’s feet, so she crossed the room to stand on the small rug before her bed. She’d just finished her prayers before the fire, and been ready to crawl into bed. “Fael won’t give you quarters?” Evelyn asked softly.

  “Fael’s people made the same assumption that you made,” Red growled. “There’s no fire laid, no warming pans for the bed. I told them the floor before your fire was good enough.”

  “And stomped off before they could protest, I imagine.”

  “Something like that.” Red set her swords next to the pallet. She stood, and started to work on the buckles of her armor.

  Evelyn watched her. “You could share my bed,” she offered quietly.

  Red glanced over at the four poster, with its heavy curtains and thick coverlet. “No, thanks. Close those curtains, and I’d feel imprisoned.”

  “The floor is cold,” Evelyn said, “not to mention hard.”

  “Not the first time.” Red set her armor close at hand, but made no move to take off the quilted jerkin. She sat down on the pallet, and removed her boots. “Better by far than standing around as gossipy maids giggle and fret over warming a room for me.”

  “When on campaign, you never know where your head will lie.” Evelyn shook her head. “That’s what my father always said to me.”

  “True enough,” Red muttered, as she crawled into the blankets.

  Evelyn shook her head, stepping to stand between the fire and Red. The heat of the flames warmed her back. Red looked up, a question in her eyes.

  Evelyn smiled, and with a gesture spoke a quiet prayer. She felt the stones beneath her feet respond to the magic, warming her toes.

  Red’s eyes widened.

  “I think that will be more comfortable, wouldn’t you say?” Evelyn asked as she padded back to bed.

  “Useful, even if it’s a priestly thing,” Red said, rubbing her hands over the stone floor.

  “It should last for the night.” Evelyn took off her robe, pulled up her shift, and slipped under the covers. Warmth from the mattress and bedding surrounded her quickly, and she settled back with a sigh. Red was welcome to the floor, but Evelyn had slept on the ground far too often to refuse a bed. Nestled down, she pulled the blankets up tight. “So, you did not bed Fael.”

  Red lay on her back, her blankets pulled up to her shoulders. She looked up at the ceiling, and for a long moment Evelyn didn’t think she was going to answer. But the words finally emerged, as if pulled from her by force. “I did not.”

  “Will he support—”

  “Maybe.” Red said through her teeth.

  “Maybe?” Evelyn asked. “We need—”

  Red rolled over to face the fire, her back to Evelyn. “We’ll talk more in the morning.”

  “Why? Why did you refuse him?” Evelyn said sharply. “You said before that there was no problem, that you’d sleep—”

  “Because Jo—” Red snapped, then stopped. “Because he doesn’t suit me, all right?”

  “Oh.”

  “Enough talk,” Red said. “Sleep.”

  Evelyn settled down into the mattress and laid her head on the pillow. She left the curtain open so that she could study Red’s back.

  She’d been so busy lately, trying to balance her Church obligations with her work in Athelbryght. She hadn’t really gotten a chance to get to know Red at all. She knew that Red was sleeping with Josiah, that much was certain, and she wasn’t quite sure how that had happened. She hadn’t pressed the point, since it was to their advantage to have Red…involved in their cause. But she flushed a bit, acknowledging to herself that the Lord of Light frowned on relations without a bonding. It was expediency, and she’d have to ask forgiveness for it when all was said and done.

  Still, Red was so complex: one moment crude, the next showing her political savvy. And she absorbed information so quickly. Her leadership skills were the equal of Auxter’s. And this…loyalty…to Josiah was another layer to consider.

  All of their schemes were at risk now, if Lord Fael would not aid them. Yet she smiled in the darkness, oddly pleased. She liked Red the better for it, to be honest.

  She closed her eyes. She’d have to leave it in the hands of the Lord and the Lady. For now, she was going to sleep.

  With any luck, the Chosen wouldn’t snore.

  JOSIAH heard the shouts as he was about to bed down for the second night alone. The cry “A portal’s opening” had him up and struggling back into his clothes.

  By the time he emerged from the tent, there were warriors, horses, and goats milling about in front of the barn. Lanterns had been brought, and greetings were exchanged as they dismounted.

  Josiah spotted Evie first. It was easy enough to do, as her white hair and robes seemed to capture the light and glow against the darkness. She gave him a soft smile as he reached up to help her dismount.

  “Fael is with us,” she said. She leaned in and whispered in his ear. “You should see to Red. She has to be exhausted.”

  Josiah looked about. Red was still mounted, and she raised her hand, calling for quiet, drawing everyone’s attention.

  “We have Lord Fael’s support,” Red said. “But our appearance in his lands will set tongues wagging. It will not be long before the enemy knows of us, and our intentions. Set the watches,” Red continued. “And everyone stay alert.”

  A murmur of agreement arose, and then the men started to unload their horses and see to them. Josiah stepped to Red’s side.

  Beast turned his head to look at Josiah, but didn’t seem to have the energy to bite.

  Red looked down at Josiah with tired eyes. “Do me a favor?” she asked softly.

  Josiah nodded.

  “Don’t let me fall,” Red whispered. With that, she gathered herself up, and swung down from the saddle. She swayed when her feet touched the ground.

  Josiah reached out, and set his hand in the middle of her back.

  Bethral appeared, taking Beast’s reins from Red’s hands. “I’ll see to him.”

  Red blinked at her, and her jaw worked as if she were stifling a yawn. “I feel like I’ve taken on an army, single-handed.”

  Josiah moved to stand beside her, and wrapped his arm around her waist. It wasn’t obvious, but he felt her sag against him slightly.

  “Rest, then,” Bethral said. “Ezren’s awake and dying to know what happened, but I will tell him he must wait.”

  “I’ll talk to him,” Auxter said from behind them. “I’ll te
ll him enough to keep him happy until morning.” He headed toward the barn, thumping his staff as he walked.

  Bethral tugged on the reins, and Beast went off, meek as you please.

  Red sighed. Josiah looked down at her, his lips brushing her cheek. “Can you make it to the tent?”

  “Damned if I know,” Red said. “I ache in places I didn’t know I owned.”

  Josiah snagged a lantern from one of the men, and got them started down the path. They walked in silence. He suspected that Red needed to think of nothing else but putting one foot in front of the other.

  He waited until they were in the tent with the flaps closed before he asked, “What happened?”

  “Lord Fael is a bull,” Red replied.

  Josiah tried to guide her to the bed, but Red resisted. “No, not the bed. If I sink into that softness, I’ll not get back up again for a while.” Red eased down into one of the chairs.

  Josiah set the lantern off to the side. An image flashed before his eyes of handsome Fael pounding into Red, naked on a bed. His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth, but he forced himself to speak. “He was rough?”

  “I’d say.” Red pulled off a boot, letting it drop to the floor. “He wanted to do it all, let me tell you.”

  Josiah winced, only to realize that Red was studying him out of the corner of her eye. He frowned at her, not quite understanding.

  Red shrugged and went on. “He wanted to spar. First one weapon, then another. I matched him step for step, but…” She yawned. “Then he wanted to watch me fight with his best man, so he could ‘learn my technique.’” Red snorted. “He probably needed a nap. And as if that wasn’t enough, then he wanted to hunt, and not just deer. Oh, no. Deer and boar. Then a ride out with his falcons, to have a go at pigeons. At least for that, you sit on a horse and the bird does the work.”

  Confused, Josiah knelt, and helped her with the other boot. They’d hunted? Hadn’t they slept together?

  Red shook her head. “Then nothing would satisfy him but a feast. With said deer and boar and pigeons on the table, mind. Overrich for my taste.”

  Josiah looked up at her. “Fael never did anything by half measures.”

  Red grimaced. “I guess not.”

  “It was a test, then?”

  “If so, I measured up.” Red wiggled her bare toes against the wood floor. “Next time, I think I’ll put gloves on Bethral and send her. She’d lay him flat, no trouble at all.”

  Josiah opened his mouth, but there was a knock at the door.

  Evie came in, a mug in her hand. “I’ve brought a few things to help you.”

  “What, no prayers?” Red asked with an arched eyebrow.

  “Healing’s of little help with tiredness,” Evie replied smartly. “Besides, who’s the one that doesn’t like ‘priestly’ things?”

  Red yawned. “True enough, Priestess.”

  “Here’s a tea that will help with the aches.” Evie pressed the mug into Red’s hand. “Don’t complain about the taste. Just drink it.”

  Red eyed the mug with resignation. “It’s going to taste like horse piss, isn’t it?”

  “You don’t have to drink it,” Evie said with a sweet smile. “Feel free to hurt all night, if you wish.”

  Red wrinkled her nose, and emptied the mug in four swift swallows.

  Evie produced a small jar from her robes. “Here’s a balm for sore muscles.” She handed it to Josiah.

  “Is there enough for my whole body?” Red handed her the empty mug.

  Evie gave her a sympathetic look. “And it doesn’t help that you slept on the floor of my room last night.”

  Josiah jerked his head around to stare at them.

  Red was looking at the jar, and didn’t notice. But Evie was looking right at him, with a soft smile on her face. Josiah’s eyes went wide as he realized what she was trying to tell him.

  Red looked up, and caught the exchange. Josiah opened his mouth, but Red looked away and growled at Evie, “You snore, by the way.”

  Evie gave her an arch look. “If I do, I am sure it’s quite attractive and ladylike.”

  Red snorted.

  “But yours aren’t.” Evie smirked, and twirled away, her robes twisting around her as she disappeared out the door.

  Red glared at Josiah as he stifled his chuckles. “I don’t snore.”

  “Not that I’ve noticed.” He set the balm aside. “You didn’t sleep with Fael?”

  Red looked at him for a moment, then looked away, reaching for the straps of her armor. “I didn’t.”

  “He asked?”

  “He did.” Red scowled at him. “But I refused him. Just part of our agreement, goatherder. Now, are you going to help me with this, or not?”

  With a sense of relief, Josiah moved closer and reached out. “Let me.”

  It took time to get Red out of her armor, and by the time the last piece was carefully set aside, her yawns were making her jaw crack. Josiah pulled back the blankets, and eased her onto the bed, face down.

  Red sighed, her body seeming to melt into the bed. She said something that was muffled by the pillow.

  Josiah reached for the balm, and dipped his finger in, letting it warm in his palm before spreading it on Red’s shoulders. He kneaded it into her skin with soft strokes.

  Red moaned, shifting slightly.

  “Easy,” Josiah whispered, “let me do this for you.”

  Red settled then, and he continued to work the balm into her back and shoulders. He lost track of time as his hands glided over her body.

  She blinked sleepily at him when he’d finished. He leaned down, letting his lips brush against her. “You were teasing me, Mercenary.”

  Red gave him a puzzled look. “It really would have bothered you, wouldn’t it?”

  Josiah nodded, and reached out to stroke her hair. “Why didn’t you sleep with him, Red?”

  She gave him a rare soft smile and whispered her answer. “He didn’t smell of marjoram.”

  Josiah knelt there, staring at her, but Red had closed her eyes and drifted off. He urged her to turn over so that he could finish his work. Red did, but it was clear that she’d lost her fight with sleep. He made quick work of the rest, until the jar was empty and the fire had burned down.

  He stripped then, and crawled in next to her, pulling the blankets up to cover both of them. Red shifted into his arms, and buried her face in his neck.

  Josiah smiled. “Sleep well, kitten.”

  She snuffled against his skin. Not quite a purr…

  Josiah chuckled, closed his eyes, and let her deep breathing lull him to sleep.

  THE noises of the camp awoke Red in the morning.

  She blinked, letting her awareness grow slowly. It seemed fairly late, from the light. Josiah lay next to her, on his side, his hand covering her belly.

  Red turned her head just enough that she could look at him. Those lines were eased in sleep. He looked younger, so handsome. His curls were unruly and getting long.

  Why had she teased him? Red frowned, considering. To see his response, if she were honest with herself. She’d never done that with a bed partner before. Never done any of this before, this intimacy. Sharing a bed like this. She’d always taken her pleasure and moved on.

  It was…comfortable.

  Red stretched, pleased to find that she wasn’t nearly as sore as she’d expected. Worth the taste of the tea. She grimaced as the taste in her mouth brought back the brew.

  She slipped from the bed with regret, and managed it without waking Josiah. Pity there wasn’t time for a bit of fun this morning. But the day was wasting, and she needed to be about it.

  She pulled on a tunic and trous. She’d see about food first, for both of them. Bring it back here and wake Josiah. She smiled to herself at the outline of his ass under the linens. Perhaps they could make time for a bit of—

  A cry jerked her head around, and she reached for her sword.

  “A portal! A portal’s opening!”

&nbs
p; TWENTY-ONE

  RED left at a run, sword in hand, headed for the area between the barn and the well. Warriors were there, facing a slight glow and the winds that seemed to come out of nowhere whenever a portal was opened. Evelyn explained that it was the air from two different places moving within the portal.

  Red was grateful for the warning.

  Her men held position as she ran to stand in front of them. A glance told her that her crossbow men were in position on the barn roof, as ordered. She could hear the others gathering, and questions called out behind her, but she ignored them. The portal was her focus.

  A brief flare of light, and then it was before them, the familiar white curtains moving in the air. Red pulled her sword. They’d be met with open blade and a snarl.

  Two men emerged from the portal, in armor but their weapons sheathed. They wore tabards that Red didn’t recognize. Each stepped to one side, eyeing Red warily.

  Red opened her mouth to demand answers, when another person stepped through. A young woman, almost stumbling, dressed in a green silken thing that showed more than it concealed. There were baubles, too: necklaces and rings and bracelets that clinked as she moved. Her long brown hair was in disarray, and her eyes were bleary. Red knew that look all too well. It spoke of a long night in the bottle. More than one bottle.

  “You!” The woman tried to focus on Red. “You’re the bitch!”

  Red narrowed her eyes.

  The woman stomped forward, to push her face into Red’s. Her breath was almost a weapon in and of itself.

  “You’re the one,” she hissed. “You’re the whore—”

  Red hit her. Her gloved fist smacked the woman right on the chin.

  The woman collapsed into a heap, the portal closing at the same time.

  The two warriors stepped forward, reaching for their swords. Red snarled, “Who is this fool woman?”

  The answer came from behind her. Ezren was leaning against the barn door, wrapped in a blanket. “The Lady Helene, High Baroness of Wyethe.”

  In the stillness, Red looked over her shoulder, and raised an eyebrow.

  Evelyn and Josiah were standing there. They both nodded in confirmation. Josiah looked concerned, but Evelyn had a look of disdain on her face.