Rebel's Blade (The Aermian Feuds Book 1)

by Frost Kay

  “And what part do you play in the resistance?”

  She sniggered, “Resistance? Darling, I know nothing about that. Gossip on the streets spreads like fire in a drought. If there was a resistance, I would have heard about it already. There’s no such thing.”

  Samuel pulled her dagger out of a sheath at his waist and laid it on the table. “Then why did you have this?”

  Sage peeked over at the dagger. “Seriously? Is that what all this is about? A silly dagger? I’ll give it to ya straight then. I filched it off of an unsuspecting idiot about six months ago. Don’t know who he was though, and honestly, I don’t even remember what he looked like either.”

  The two men in front of her blurred together into one: a curly blond-haired man with purple eyes. The cuffs at her wrists chafed.

  Damn! They’re so itchy.

  She pulled and tugged at them.

  “So, you’re telling me you stole this, and it’s not yours?”

  Her head lulled to the side. She blinked, and there were two men again. “It’s mine now. Do I look like I could afford something of that quality?”

  Neither man said a word in response as the room spun, making her stomach lurch. Her eyelids drooped as her mouth slackened. This was not good; she’d never eat apple anything ever again.

  “Sam? She’s going to pass out,” muttered Gav.

  Samuel leaned closer, looking her over, and swore. “How much was in that cup?”

  “Enough to make her talk.”

  Sage was numb. She felt nothing and crashed onto her knees, held upright only by the metal at her wrists.

  How peculiar…

  A strange euphoria spread through her as warm liquid ran down her arms. The dark one wrapped a strong arm around her waist, hoisting her up as the blond one with the devastating smile unlocked her wrists.

  Maybe they’ll stop itching now.

  Her head flopped against Gav’s shoulder, and she stared blearily at him. He was a stunning man. She kissed his neck and breathed in his leather and musk scent. Sage looked up into his unique eyes when he stiffened. “You really do have the most beautiful eyes. I think we would have gorgeous babies.”

  Surprise flashed on his face just before it blurred. Then everything went black.

  Eleven

  TEHL

  As Tehl made his way toward the infirmary, Sam’s words replayed over and over in his head.

  You’re connecting with her.

  Sit this one out.

  Tehl didn’t necessarily agree with Sam, but his brother understood emotions better than he did. That little spitfire may be a huge part of his problems but she could very well be the solution.

  Ruby. The name just didn’t match the impression she’d left. When he’d discovered that cloak had been hiding a beautiful woman, he’d barely covered his astonishment. And it was still difficult to reconcile the fierce opponent she had been with the stunning girl before him. But her face didn’t fool him. She was tough and bloodthirsty.

  Who could have trained her? No one learnt to fight like that overnight, yet he didn’t know of any masters willing to take on female apprentices. Skills like hers only came with grueling years of training and dedication. It must have been in secret or he’d have heard tell of her. So, the question was, how did she acquire such skills? Why hide them? To have any chance at uncovering her identity they’d first need to find her master.

  Reaching the infirmary, Tehl headed through the open door to Jacob, the palace’s most-prized healer: the Healer. The older man had held the position since well before either prince had been born. He stood now with his glasses low on his nose, squinting at herbs. Without thinking, Tehl tossed himself onto one of the many pristine cots, hissing in a breath when his ribs protested the rough treatment.

  That girl sure didn’t pull her punches.

  The pungent scents of basil and lemon permeated the room, causing his nose to twitch. Absentmindedly, he rubbed it as Jacob completed whatever he was working on. Jacob scrubbed his hands, turning as he dried them. He paused as he took in Tehl’s injuries, his thick spectacles magnifying the coppery-hazel of his eyes. He smiled crookedly. “What happened this time?” He moved closer to Tehl, examining his face. “You’ve been beaten to a bloody pulp.” His owl-like gaze awaited an explanation.

  Tehl grunted. “A woman.” He watched the other man attempt to contain his obvious amusement even while he continued cataloging injuries.

  “You win some, you lose some, I suppose. Not all women fall at the feet of royalty, my lord.”

  “You’re hilarious,” Tehl deadpanned. “I’m worn out and desperately in need of a bath. Would you make this quick?”

  Jacob leaned closer, sniffing. “You’re correct there, my lord.”

  Tehl rolled his eyes. He appreciated his old friend’s sense of humor but he had other priorities—his swollen nose for instance. Pointing to it he told the Healer, “You will need to reset my nose. She might have broken a couple of my ribs, but I’m still fairly mobile so they’re more than likely only bruised.”

  Jacob’s eyebrows furrowed as he drew closer and probed the bridge of Tehl’s nose. The Healer clucked his tongue. “Your nose is broken. Let’s take care of that before I examine anything else. On three I will straighten it. One, two—”

  Pain exploded in his face. Tehl glared through his watery eyes. “What happened to three?”

  “It sets better if you aren’t expecting it. Stop whining. It’s not like this is your first time you’re experiencing a broken nose.” Jacob chided.

  “Still hurts.”

  The Healer ignored him. “Lift your shirt.”

  When Tehl painstakingly lifted his shirt over his head, he heard a familiar voice say.

  “It’s fun to get a little rough but your little woman may have taken it a bit too far.”

  He deposited his dirty shirt on the clean cot next to him and lifted his head to scowl at Sam and Gav.

  “What?” His brother raised his hands in mock innocence.

  Tehl disregarded the pair, turning back to Jacob who was still inspecting his body.

  “A woman. She must be some kind of hellcat.”

  Tehl frowned as he noted the glimmer of awe evident in Jacob’s voice.

  “And you should see her! She is a curvy little pixie,” Gav put in. “You’d never think she had it in her.”

  Tehl’s head whipped around, glaring at the obvious admiration in Gav’s words.

  Eyes glinting, Sam chided, “Add to that the fact he had at least seventy-five pounds on her, yet she still beat him bloody. Brother, you’ve let yourself go. If you were in better shape that woman couldn’t have bested you.”

  Tehl rolled his eyes, refusing to dignify his brother’s ribbing with a response. He knew Sam’s comments were good natured though, so he wasn’t bothered overmuch.

  Ignoring his irksome brother and cousin, Tehl focused instead on Jacob’s movements as he cleaned each injury. At some point, Jacob had stopped trying to maintain his blank face; he was now smiling broadly.

  Tehl cleared his throat. “Found something amusing, have you?”

  “I have, thank you. I had thought, as you got older, these crazy injuries would eventually lessen but it seems—” Jacob paused mid-sentence, examining his back. “Did she bite you?!”

  Tehl glanced up in time to see Sam and Gav trade glances. Sam vaulted over the cot for a better look. His three friends peered at the circular welt on his back. The silence shattered as both Sam and Gav burst into peals of laughter. Tehl narrowed his eyes at Jacob who was chuckling underneath his breath.

  “It’s not that bad,” he mumbled, creating another round of laughter behind him.

  “Sam look! You can see all her bitty teeth marks!” Gav chortled.

  “I’m all for a well-placed bite on occasion, and we’ve all marked our territory at times but, brother? That’s just brutal.” Sam plopped down next to him, jarring the cot and, subsequently, his ribs. Tehl sucked in a shaky breath only
to have it whoosh out of him when Sam bumped him with his shoulder. “However did you come by it?” Sam probed, brimming with curiosity.

  He sighed, knowing his brother wouldn’t leave the subject alone without the full story. “When I threw the blasted woman over my shoulder, she attempted escape by any means possible, thus the biting.”

  After staring for a beat, Sam shook his head and stood, twisting from side to side as he tried to work out the stiffness. “Sitting on barrels all day has left its mark. My back’s all kinked,” he sighed, adding, “What I wouldn’t give for a hot bath right now.”

  Tehl shot his brother a dirty look. “Yeah…because sitting all day is just so hard on your body,” he said sardonically, thinking of every ache afflicting his pummeled body.

  Jacob noticed the blood on his shoulder and mangled ear. “Bloody hell, Tehl! How’d you come by this?”

  “A damn rat bit me.”

  Gav’s brows furrowed, and his cousin opened and closed his mouth several times but Sam spoke up first. “How did that even happen? What was a rat doing on your shoulder?”

  “It’s a long story.” Tehl was not keen on doling out an explanation; exhaustion was riding him hard. He closed his eyes as Jacob continued his ministrations, smearing smelly stuff on his neck and inspecting his lip. Jacob pulled it down, and checked Tehl’s gums, letting out a resigned sigh when he’d finished. “I’ll need to stitch it. Your teeth have cut clean through.” Uncorking an amber bottle, he portioned some of the liquid in a cup and on a rag, handing Tehl the bottle afterward. “Take a couple swigs. It will help clean the wound and numb some of the pain.”

  Tehl brought the bottle to his lips and took a healthy gulp, before Jacob swiped the outside of his lip with the whiskey soaked rag. The liquid burned a hot trail down his throat and warmed his belly. The Healer threaded a needle, ready to stitch the botched lip. He cringed. He’d always hated this part. People were not meant to be stabbed with sharp objects.

  “This will sting.”

  Gav shifted closer, watching Jacob with interest. Without looking away, he addressed Tehl. “So you’re telling me you were bitten by rat and a woman, got your nose broken, had your lip busted, and are suffering bruised ribs, all from a pint-sized woman?”

  Tehl huffed. “She’s tougher than she looks.”

  Sam nodded. “My plan was to let her stew, maybe a couple of days, then I’d work my charm on her.” Sam smirked. “But now I can’t bear to wait that long. I believe I’ll collect all the information we need by the end of the week.”

  If anyone could accomplish that it was Sam. Tehl was sure his brother could charm the knickers off a nun. “Good. The sooner the better, honestly.”

  Jacob leaned over to retrieve a small pair of clippers and cut the string that was tugging Tehl’s lip.

  “There you go. I put in ten stitches but it should heal quickly. Try not to agitate it though by rubbing your tongue along it.” Jacob picked up a couple herbal packets from his desk and made a few notations. He handed them to Tehl, motioning to the green. “Mix those into your wine tonight before bed and they’ll reduce some of your pain.” He pointed to the purple herbs. “Use the lavender in your bath. It will help you relax and, hopefully, fall asleep. You’ll need the rest. Also, when you’re done with your bath, wrap your ribs with that gauze. If you need anything, you know where to find me.” Jacob gathered his remaining herbs and ambled toward the door. He stopped in the doorway, and smirked over his shoulder. “If you need anyone to teach you what proper foreplay with a lady is, I suppose I’d be willing to help you out.” He winked and slipped through the door.

  Tehl’s jaw dropped in horror.

  “Did he give us love advice?” Sam grinned through his own shock. “I want to be him when I grow up.”

  Tehl squeezed his eyes closed, attempting to erase the image that had sprung in his mind. Putting that aside he steeled himself for the laborious trek ahead to get to his rooms. Tehl slid off the cot and he shrugged his shirt back on, ignoring the buttons for now.

  Gav rocked forward onto the balls of his feet and clapped his hands. “Well…” he drew out, “after that remark, I need a drink. Want to join me?”

  Sam rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “Yeah, I’m coming. And maybe, while we are at it, we can scare up some enjoyable company of the female persuasion.” Gav smiled at Sam’s antics and moved toward the door. Sam looked to Tehl expectantly.

  He clasped his brother on the shoulder once with a slight smile. “No, you go. I need to clean up so I’ll catch up with you in the morning. Also, I need you to get any information you can on Ruby and report it as soon as possible.”

  The three flights of stairs leading to his quarters just about killed him. When he finally reached his own floor, he paused to catch his breath. Tehl leaned against the wall while listening for the sounds of anyone approaching. God help him, if anyone caught him slumping against the wall like an invalid.

  Once his body let him breathe again, he covered the remaining twenty feet to his room and went straight to his bathing area. To his delight steam was already wafting from a hot bath that had been prepped before his arrival. He stripped and dumped the herbs in the tub. Tehl lowered himself in and sighed as the warm water enveloped him. Immediately, his muscles relaxed.

  Best part of life right here.

  Tehl closed his eyes and drifted off. The next thing he knew, he was choking on water. He jerked up, sluicing water everywhere as he coughed. Time to get out. Clumsily, he climbed out of the tub, still sputtering on water. He wiped the water from his eyes and peered blearily around his room. Why did his bed seem so damn far away?

  He stumbled back to his main quarters and collapsed onto the bed, still soaked. He thought about what his mother would say if she knew he had climbed into bed while wet. She would have skinned him alive and fussing over the state of him, the mattress, and the sheets. He could imagine her scolding him saying, “You’ll catch your death you silly boy!”

  He smiled and floated away into the recesses of his mind. His thoughts turned to a raven-haired beauty. Why did she intrigue him? Trouble. She was only trouble, he reminded his sleepy self. He closed his eyes and dreamt about warrior angels with green eyes.

  Twelve

  TEHL

  When will this day end?

  Demari, the Aermian steward, was currently droning on about expenses for the Midsummer Festival. The budget was already set. Why were they still discussing it? It was times like these that he felt his mother’s loss; this had always been her forte.

  “Your Highness?”

  Tehl snapped out of his thoughts. “Yes, Demari?”

  “What colors would you like us to use in the decorations?” His thin steward stared at him, awaiting an answer along with twenty other sets of eyes.

  “Colors?” Tehl grimaced and addressed the small crowd. “I don’t care, do what you will. I already approved the budget, so, if you have questions, ask Demari and he can assist you.” The thin and graying steward then smiled at the rest of the household servants. “That will be all.” They bowed and scurried after Demari.

  It had been such a long day. He’d been sitting in the wooden chair for so long he’d begun to ache. Tehl was inclined to just eat in the private dining room as it was much more comfortable, however, he hadn’t eaten with the court in three days so he’d have to brave the shark-infested waters.

  He should’ve gone to bed; there was absolutely nothing worth his time or attention in this room. Sam and Gav never showed up for dinner so Tehl found himself surrounded with less than ideal dinner companions. Men and women alike engaging in droll and vapid conversation. Looking down the table, it seemed only feathers were visible. The reason women dressed to resemble distorted birds eluded him. Where they’d gotten the idea that it was somehow appealing to men remained an even greater mystery.

  A hand on his arm forced his attention back to the lady seated at his side. She was leaning toward him with a dress cut so low he was worrie
d her breasts might actually tumble out of it. Her face wore a practiced smile as her lashes fluttered, her peacock-feathered hairpiece tickling his face. Tehl leaned back and pasted on a smile although the feathers put him in mind of strange antennae. It was ridiculous.

  “Your Highness, I had heard tell that you bested a nefarious foe yesterday, and that you fought valiantly despite having sustained injuries. I wanted to be certain you weren’t permanently harmed in any way, and should you require anything at all I would be more than willing to provide assistance.” A seductive smile slipped across her face as she stroked his arm and leaned even closer, if that was possible. “I hate to think you might suffer in any way.” More eye-batting.

  His jaw slackened. Could she possibly be saying what he thought she was saying? He swept his gaze down the table and spotted her father giving him a disturbing smile.

  “She is an expert caregiver. I’m sure she’d be at your disposal any time you need.”

  Was she being thrown at him by her father? The Aermian nobility knew the old laws; he’d only marry a commoner which meant this man was, what? Offering his own daughter as a mistress to the crown prince? Filled with revulsion, Tehl’s eyes darted back to the girl who continued to eye him. If he ever had a daughter, he wouldn’t let a man near her without honorable intentions. And even then, no guarantees. He neither understood nor wanted anything to do with such a dishonorable man.

  He covered her hand with his and whispered, “I very much appreciate your concern but I am well-cared-for by our healers. Good evening.” Tehl shoved back his chair and fled, more than happy to leave the sniveling court behind.

  When he returned to his chambers, a fire was already crackling in the hearth. He fell more than sat on his bed and painstakingly pulled off his boots, followed by his vest and shirt, tossing them all into a corner. Raising his eyes to the mirror across the room, he warily took stock of his reflection. Well hell, he looked terrible. His skin was black and blue in multiple spots, and the bite on his shoulder looked pretty damn ugly.