Heart of Fire

by Kristen Painter

  “Anything, of course. What can I do for you?”

  She looked at her clothes. “This,” she plucked at her simple tunic, “will not do. I need something more...something like what the townswomen wear.”

  “Ahh,” he nodded. “I understand.”

  Valduuk scribbled directions on a scrap of parchment. “Tell the proprietress I sent you.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled. “I won’t be long.”

  Jessalyne found Valduuk’s map easy to follow and in minutes she stood before the clothier he’d directed her to.

  A bell jangled as she walked in. The shop overflowed with ready-made women’s clothes. An older woman with elaborate braids in her grey hair greeted her. “Good morning, miss. May I help you?”

  “Master Valduuk sent me. I need something better to wear.” She looked around. “I don’t know where to start.”

  The woman smiled, blue eyes twinkling. “I’m Mistress Chara. Let’s see what suits you, shall we?”

  Chara dressed Jessalyne in a pale green blouse scooped low at the neckline and matching long full skirt. “This color does wonderful things for your eyes but the most important part is the bodice.”

  She showed Jessalyne one of the boned tapestry belts she’d seen many the townswomen wearing.

  “Is this the nicest one you have?”

  “I have another t’would go with this outfit, but it’s a few more silvers than this one. Very beautifully worked leather. I’ll fetch it.”

  Tooled flowers and vines covered the deep green leather. Thin slices of animal bones stitched inside kept it rigid. Chara laced the bodice around Jessalyne’s waist. The tighter she pulled, the higher Jessalyne’s chest rose, creating deep cleavage between the pale crests of her bosom.

  “How does a person breathe in this?” she gasped.

  “Takes some getting used to, doesn’t it?” Chara laughed.

  A few minor adjustments and Chara led Jessalyne to the long polished glass.

  “You look lovely.”

  Jessalyne stared into the glass. A stranger stared back. She didn’t quite have Dalayna’s curves but the bodice worked wonders. No longer did she see an odd, out of place girl. Instead, she gazed at woman of the realm, a woman fit for Shaldar City. At least fit on the outside.

  “Yes,” she whispered, “this will do.” Let that blasted halfling look at her now and call her girl.

  The woman went into the back room, returning with a tray of hair combs. With deft fingers, she coiled and twisted Jessalyne’s braids, slipping in a comb here and there. Chara’s touch relaxed her like a hot bath. She opened her eyes and smiled. “I never imagined my hair could look like that.”

  “I was a lady’s maid for many years.” Chara showed her how to attach her dagger and coin pouch to the leather loops hidden around the bottom of the bodice. She slipped a matching pair of green leather slippers onto Jessalyne’s feet.

  “May I wear this now? I couldn’t bear to put my old clothes back on.”

  “Of course. I’ll bundle your other clothes.” Chara rolled the tunic and overvest and wrapped them in paper and twine.

  “Thank you so much. I feel transformed. I’ll be sure to tell Valduuk what a great help you’ve been.” Jessalyne held out a handful of coins, unsure of how much it had all cost. Mistress Chara counted out the right amount and bid her farewell.

  On her walk back to the tavern, Jessalyne’s stomach grumbled. Hopefully, she hadn’t missed breakfast. She couldn’t wait to see the look on Ertemis’s face. She hoped the outfit made him want her so badly he begged to kiss her. Telling him no would be a great pleasure.

  She knocked on Valduuk’s door again and he answered promptly, as though he were waiting. He smiled and nodded approvingly when he saw her. “We are just sitting down to the table. The food will be out soon. Come, I think my halfling friend should like to see this.” He winked at her, putting her wrapped bundle on a nearby chair.

  Valduuk walked ahead of her into the dining room, blocking Ertemis’s sight line. “Your tardy mistress has finally graced us with her presence.” He stepped to the side, allowing Ertemis full view of her as she entered the room.

  Ertemis looked up from a steaming mug of tea. Jessalyne took great satisfaction in the drop of his jaw. She lifted her chin slightly. “Good morning.”

  He stared at her, wordless. She held his gaze, daring him with her eyes not to respond. The soft swish of her skirts pleased her as she moved around the table to her place. Valduuk pulled her chair out and she fluffed her skirts out over the seat. “Thank you, sir.”

  Valduuk sat across from her and rang a small bell. The cook came in with the first of the trays. “Ready for your vittles, sir?”

  “Aye, cook. Thank you.” Valduuk ignored the still speechless elf. “I must compliment you, Lady Jessalyne. You look more beautiful than yesterday. That color is lovely on you.”

  “You’re very kind.” She couldn’t help but smile. Compliments were not something she was used to.

  Ertemis remained silent. Valduuk moved in his seat and she heard a soft thunk. She suspected Ertemis had just been kicked and when he shot Valduuk an angry glare, she felt sure of it.

  “Aye. Lovely,” Ertemis mumbled.

  Cook set the platters down and the trio tucked into heaps of fried eggs and sausages, buttered mushrooms and biscuits topped with seedberry preserves and thick whipped cream.

  “You spoil us, Valduuk.” Jessalyne licked a dollop of cream off her fingers.

  Ertemis missed his biscuit and bit his finger.

  “I trust you both slept well,” Jessalyne said.

  Valduuk helped himself to another sausage. “Very well, thank you. I had cook pack food for your trip. Bread, cheese, apples, that sort of thing.”

  Ertemis spoke around a mouthful of food. “Good of you.” He finished chewing and added, “My bed was sufficient.”

  Jessalyne lowered her eyes and bit back a retort. I’m sure your bed was sufficient. Sufficiently full of tavern wench. She sipped her tea. I am just business.

  So what if her new outfit brought little response from him. By the distracted look in his eyes, he was probably still lost in Dalayna’s ample charms. So she couldn’t fill a gown like that little chit. Valduuk thought she looked beautiful. Even if that blasted halfling didn’t.

  “Did you purchase the saddle?” She directed the question to Ertemis in her most businesslike manner.

  “Aye. And saddlebags.” His eyes swept her newly exposed bosom before picking at the crumbs on his plate. Probably comparing her to that tavern hussy. She doubted that tart could afford an outfit like this. Unless Ertemis had paid her for last night’s pleasure. With her gold. New rage crackled over her skin.

  “We should be about it, then.” She snapped. “If you would please excuse me, I’ll gather my things and we can resume our trip.”

  Valduuk stood as Jessalyne got up. He gave Ertemis a look, but he didn’t budge. Who cared if he stood or not? He was just the hired help.

  * * *

  When Jessalyne left, Valduuk’s smile disappeared. “What’s wrong with you? Would it have killed you to give her a compliment? To rise when she left?”

  “Certain circumstances made it wiser to stay seated.” Ertemis cursed his body’s response to her new look. Not a chance in Hael he would show her his straining trousers. She thought little enough of him as it was. “Where did she get those clothes?” That body?

  “She came to see me before breakfast. It seems her old clothes became unacceptable overnight. I think she wants to catch your eye.”

  “Not likely. She’s off to serve the king’s magewoman.” He drew a breath. “Codswallop! Who knew such curves existed beneath those rustic threads.” He leaned back in his chair. “The woman confounds me.”

  “Woman, eh?” Valduuk laughed. “Yesterday, she was a child and by your own words, not to your taste.”

  Ertemis stood, throwing his linen on the table. “I don’t have time for this. I have animals to saddle
and miles to travel in daylight.” He spoke the last word through gritted teeth before storming out of the room. Valduuk’s laughter echoed in his ears.

  What if Valduuk was right? The thought of traveling beside her all day, seeing so much of her in those new clothes, rattled him. He threw himself into saddling the animals. Finished, he brought them round the front of the tavern and hitched them before going inside to fetch Jessalyne. Dalayna was nowhere in sight, which suited him fine.

  Jessalyne sat with Valduuk at his table, sipping a glass of cold tea, her rucksack at her feet. Dwarfed by Valduuk’s size and dressed in those clothes, she looked like a beautiful doll. He wanted her to the point of pain. Her lavender eyes met his and he looked away, unwilling to let her see the torment she caused him.

  He extended his hand to Valduuk. “My friend, your hospitality was much appreciated.”

  Valduuk rose and clasped Ertemis’s hand between his massive palms. “May fewer years pass between us before we meet again.”

  Jessalyne embraced Valduuk. “I hope to see you again some day, too. You’re the nicest man,” she glanced at Ertemis, “I’ve met in a long time.

  Valduuk kissed her hand as he had when they first met. “It’s been my pleasure, Lady Jessalyne. Let me walk you out.”

  Arm in arm, the two headed for the door, leaving Ertemis behind. “You left your bag,” he called out.

  Without looking back, Jessalyne called out over her shoulder, “Haven’t I paid you enough?”

  Ertemis stared at her, mouth open. “What?”

  Valduuk howled with laughter. “Just bring the lady’s bag, will you?”

  Muttering, Ertemis snatched the bag and strode after them. Now he was her servant? Where had that come from?

  Dragon and Petal stood at the hitching rail, Petal’s nose tucked beneath Dragon’s neck.

  “Seems Dragon has found himself a ladylove,” Valduuk said. Ertemis rolled his eyes.

  Jessalyne examined her new saddle. “This is lovely. Much better than bareback.”

  Ertemis plopped the rucksack at her feet. “Put your things into one of the saddlebags.”

  She glared at him but did it. He placed the foodstuffs supplied by cook into the opposite side. He mounted up and Jessalyne followed suit, placing her foot in the stirrup as he had placed his. Her full skirts allowed her to sit straddle, which was the only redeeming quality he could see in her new clothes.

  They rode in silence. Once beyond the town limits, Jessalyne checked the dagger. She pointed and they took up the trail, each lost in their own thoughts.

  What a fool he’d been for buying that necklace. She didn’t want him for anything but protection. What had gotten into her? New clothes, new attitude, she barely spoke to him except to give him an order...an order! It made no sense and he didn’t like any of it. Well, in truth, the clothes were not that wretched.

  He mused on the way she’d looked walking into the dining room that morning. With her hair up, the sweep of her neck had beckoned him, a sweet to be savored, an expanse of skin so fair it deserved small tender kisses that trailed lower across her bosom. His body responded to his thoughts and he groaned. Once again, this was neither the time nor the place.

  “Something wrong?” Jessalyne’s eyes were straight ahead.

  “Nay.” He watched her out of the corner of his eye.

  “You groaned.” She dragged the words out like they were painful to speak.

  “Just thinking.”

  “I’m sure you have plenty to think about.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Why were women so difficult to understand?

  “Nothing.”

  He shook his head. “Do you like the saddle?”

  “It’s fine.”

  “Valduuk picked it out.” He was relieved to talk of something else.

  “Then I love it. How much did it cost me?”

  “Nothing.”

  That got her attention. She finally looked at him. “Please don’t tell me Valduuk paid for it. He did more than enough.”

  “He didn’t pay for it.”

  She furrowed her brows.

  “I did.”

  She turned away again. “I will reimburse you.”

  “You will not. You’ve already overpaid me.”

  She tucked her chin so he couldn’t see her face, but he heard the smile in her voice. “Thank you.”

  “Your smile becomes you.”

  The smile disappeared. “Was that a compliment?”

  Was there no making her happy today? “A thousand pardons. I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds as your hireling, my lady.”

  “I didn’t mean...oh, you’re impossible. You could learn a great deal from Valduuk. He’s a gentleman.”

  Ertemis snorted. “He’s a troll!”

  “You’re more troll than he is.”

  He glanced at her. Her jaw set in a way he had not seen before. “I’ve done nothing to make you think that.”

  “Hah! You’re a crude, ill-mannered, skirt-chasing whorehound!” She sputtered.

  He reached out and snagged Petal’s reins out of her hands, bringing both animals to a standstill.

  She stared into the distance, her fists clenched. An angry flush spread over her chest. Saladan’s britches, she tempted him when her blood was up. “Explain yourself.”

  She locked eyes with him. “I’m aware of your appetites. In truth, it’s none of my business, but I find your dalliances repulsive.” She turned her face away.

  “Appetites? Dalliances?” He shook his head. “I know less now than when you started.”

  “Don’t play innocent. I saw her!”

  He threw his hands up. “Her who? The more you speak the less I understand.”

  “Dalayna.”

  “The tavern girl?”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “And?” Had Valduuk said something about the flirtation between them in the tavern?

  “I saw her go into your room last night. Don’t deny it.”

  So that was it. “She was in my room but –”

  Jessalyne threw her hands up. “Don’t give me details unless you want me to retch my breakfast all over you. You’re a cad. I’m ashamed to keep company with you. The sooner we part ways the better.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Half-stunned she might care, he opened his senses to read her. Jealousy rolled off her like steam.

  “Indeed I do.” She glared at him. “That trollop was in my room this very morning, boasting of what a fine toss you were. She made sure to inform me you were, ‘quite impressive in the all-together’.” She crossed her arms beneath her chest, pushing it up and out even further.

  “Enough!” He leaned over and grasped her shoulders, very aware of how close his hands were to other parts of her. “Listen and do not interrupt me.” He looked her straight in the eyes and tried not to smile as her jealously continued to flood his senses. “I slept alone last night.”

  “I saw her—”

  “I am not done speaking.”

  “She told me—”

  “Not another word until I’m done.” He was tempted to silence her mouth with his.

  She huffed but kept silent.

  “She did come into my room, but I promptly escorted her out. She was furious I refused her. I’m sure her visit to you this morning was just an attempt to get back at me.” The angry light in her eyes faded. He smiled. “Your jealousy flatters me. I can’t say I’ve felt that from a woman before.”

  “I’m not jealous. I don’t even like you.” Jessalyne tried to pull away but he wasn’t ready to let her go.

  He read her again. She was a bad liar. The jealousy tapered off, but hurt rose to take its place. “I didn’t compliment you at breakfast because the sight of you made me lose my tongue.” Among other things. He couldn’t believe he was telling her this.

  “But Dalayna is so, so –”

  “Dalayna is a plump little tart who mistakenly thinks men should bow at her feet.�
� He released her and sat back.

  “Truly?”

  “Aye.”

  “Why should I believe you?”

  “Have I lied to you yet?”

  She shook her head. “Not that I know of.”

  A small pain shot through him at her lack of trust. He gripped his sword hilt. “I swear on my blade, it’s the truth.”

  Happiness flowed off her, filling him with warmth. “I’m sorry for being cross with you.” She took Petal’s reins back from him. “But I’m not jealous.”

  “You are jealous. Sensing strong emotion is one of my gifts, so don’t bother denying it.” Against his better judgment, he reached into the pouch at his belt. He wanted to feel her intoxicating happiness again.

  “Here,” he said, holding the amethyst and pearl pendant. The bauble sparkled in the sun. “Just to show I harbor no ill will against your name calling.”

  Jessalyne stared at the necklace, her mouth slightly open. “Where did you get that?”

  “I see receiving gifts is not your strong suit.”

  “I’ve never seen the like before.” Her eyes shone with the same lavender as the gem.

  “My arm grows numb.”

  She cupped the necklace in her palm, and he let it drop. She held it gently, caressing the amethyst and rolling the pearl between her fingertips.

  “Does it please you?”

  “Oh yes, it’s lovely,” she breathed. “I’m sorry, I just forgot myself for a moment. I don’t own any jewels.”

  “You do now. Put it on.”

  She undid the catch and slipped it around her neck. “I can’t fasten it.”

  Ertemis guided Dragon closer until he touched Petal’s sides. He took the pendant from Jessalyne and she turned the bare curve of her neck to him. He looped the pendant over her head. His fingers grazed her silky skin. She was so warm. He stroked a fingertip down her neck and fought the desire to kiss the flesh beneath his fingers.

  “There. Turn toward me.” He nodded. “Beautiful.”

  “Thank you.”

  “The necklace is lovely as well.”

  She blushed and fiddled with the buckle on Petal’s reins, her head down.

  He enjoyed the color in her cheeks. There wasn’t a drop of guile in her. What in the realm was she doing with him? “Time to ride or we’ll lose the light and have traveled nowhere.”