“Can we keep them—or me—a secret?” Ashley said. “Justav knows, and there were a lot of witnesses today.”
Her daddy waved his hand. “The witnesses were our most trusted soldiers, and if we declare Justav to be an enemy, anything he says can be easily discounted. The real concern at the moment is choosing a leader for our new force.”
“Brant is the obvious choice, my lord,” Uncle Benj said. “He’s a soldier used to commanding and being commanded.”
“In terms of magic, he also isn’t nearly as strong, as practiced, or as astute as Xan.” Ashley smiled sweetly.
Her daddy shook his head. “You hit the main problem; Xan possesses too much strength.”
“How so?” she said.
“The more powerful a mage, the easier it is for him to use his ability. In the days before the Wizard’s War, few commissioned mages could communicate by dreams. Considering he’s untrained and remembered everything afterward, he’s the most powerful mage I’ve heard tell of.”
“Is that why I don’t remember? I’m not powerful enough?”
Her daddy grinned. “Don’t fret. It takes great potential to activate a dream, much less unconsciously.”
“It’s irrelevant anyway,” Uncle Benj said. “Neither you nor Tasia should use your ability.”
“You want me to make the same mistake again?” Her daddy practically snarled at him.
What was going on? Her daddy often roared like a big bear but rarely got mad at anyone, much less Uncle Benj.
The general didn’t flinch. “You know I’ve the right of it, my lord. If this thing goes bad, we’re going to be under intense scrutiny. The less Ashley and Tasia know of their ability, the easier it will be for us to shield them.”
“Alaina—”
“This is Ashley, my lord. Your daughter.”
If only someone would tell her what happened to her mother. All she had were years of frustration asking and being denied.
Her daddy scowled before finally nodding. “So be it. For now.”
“Regardless,” Ashley said, “Xan is the choice for leader. I can control him.”
Uncle Benj shook his head. “Brant is more malleable.”
Ashley flipped her hair. “You doubt my judgment when it comes to controlling men?”
Her daddy hmphhed. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
He gritted his teeth. “I’ll take the recommendation under advisement. We’ll reconvene in an hour.”
* * *
Ashley followed her daddy and Uncle Benj into the audience chamber with Brant’s father and the old man trailing.
Lainey bolted from her seat. “My lord, I confess. I k-killed the guardsman without the knowledge of the others. There should be no trial for them.” She sank to her knees. “I swear I didn’t mean it, but I would rather him dead than my brother.”
Silence hung over the chamber.
What must it be like to hold sway over life and death? To have everyone hanging on your merest whim?
Tasia grasped Xan’s hand, and Ashley narrowed her eyes.
“Let it be recorded that the catcher, Justav the Bold—” her daddy scoffed “—is an enemy of the Duchy of Vierna and of the Kingdom of Bermau. His life and the lives of any of his men are forfeit wherever they may be found. Let it be known that this declaration is effective retroactively.”
Lainey stared at him with a blank look.
Captain Reed climbed down to her from the dais and helped her to her feet. “It means, child, there will be no punishment for killing the guardsman.”
“There will always be punishment.” She collapsed into a nearby chair.
Ashley’s daddy lowered his tone to a personable, soft pitch. “Six weeks ago, my enemy stole my daughter. My men searched the countryside. My spies risked their lives. My coffers opened to provide bounties to every mercenary in the kingdom. All these efforts failed. These young people accomplished what my armies could not.” He paused, smiling at Ashley. “Their bravery shall be rewarded. Lainey Diwen, please come before me.”
She stumbled onto the dais.
“My thanks cannot wash away all you’ve endured, but I grant you absolution. In addition to rewards of wealth and status, I will find the family of the guardsman and pay them recompense.”
Just as dully, she exited the dais.
“Dylan d’Adreci,” Ashley’s daddy said, “I’m told you seek neither adventure nor glory, but you do not shirk from duty or your friends when it is necessary. To you, I grant the Asher House concession on dye contracts.”
Dylan looked stunned.
Ashley nodded. With a single statement, the d’Adreci house became the premiere dye concession in Vierna, tying Dylan’s success to the Asher’s success. Her daddy knew how to motivate people.
“Brant Reed, please approach.”
He marched to the dais. As he approached, Uncle Benj handed her daddy a jewel-encrusted sword.
“Kneel.”
His back straight and head high, Brant rested one knee of the stone floor.
“Your actions prove your bravery, and Captain Reed tells me you surpass all the requirements for knighthood.” Her daddy raised the blade, its bright metal reflecting the sunlight streaming through the windows, and touched the flat side of the tip to Brant’s right shoulder. “For the glory of the Holy One.” To the left. “For the honor of the queen.” He tapped Brant’s head. “For the service to your liege. Rise.”
Brant floated to his feet.
“For rescuing my daughter, I grant you title and lands. From this day forward, you shall be Sir Brant Reed, Lord of Marchess Bridge.”
Assuming they didn’t have to kill Brant, the pronouncement would change his life. He could be an officer in any army he chose. Ashley nearly snickered when she realized her daddy hadn’t said a word about Brant leading the mage force. That wasn’t going to make him happy.
Captain Reed and Pruitt clapped Brant on the back.
Xan caught Dylan’s attention and looked pointedly at the main entry door. “They’re going to need to enlarge it.”
Dylan raised his eyebrows.
“Brant’s head isn’t going to fit.”
They shared a chuckle as their friend strutted from the podium.
“Alexander Conley,” the duke said.
Xan let out a long breath and walked slowly to the front.
“The bravery and capability of one among you stood higher than the rest.” Her daddy placed a hand on Xan’s shoulder. “You escaped from a catcher and, with a penalty of death hanging over you, rescued my daughter. You let yourself be captured in order to get closer to her, putting yourself in mortal danger. After you rescued her, you continued in your duty. Risking judgment, you brought to my attention a plot to overthrow my seat, perhaps even this very kingdom.”
The duke’s expression turned solemn. “I repay your heroic deeds with more duty. An enemy prepared to use magic against us will arrive on the morrow, and without you and your friends to defend us, I fear we will be lost.” He paused dramatically. “I call upon you to save us again as my Marshal of the Mages.”
Xan’s eyes widened. “Yes, my lord. I shall do my best for you, sir.”
He stumbled as he exited the dais and almost fell. Ashley shook her head.
Tasia was the first to greet him. She hugged him, and their embrace lingered. When had they become so … friendly?
Xan would become one of the most powerful men in the world. Or he’d be executed. Ashley nodded. Huge reward. Little risk.
She stepped forward. “There’s one more reward to give, Father.”
He cocked his head but ceded the floor.
“I would be dead or worse if not primarily for Xan’s actions. No amount of duty—” she looked at her daddy “—can possibly be reward enough. Nothing can possibly be reward enough. Still, honor demands I try.” She paused, letting the anticipation build. “Alexander Conley, I give you my hand in marriage.”
59.
Xa
n’s mouth gaped. Marry Ashley?
Him? With someone so perfect, so beautiful? His fiancé?
When would the wedding be? Probably not before the siege. Hopefully, once everything had calmed down. Assuming they won. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have to worry.
What would be expected of him? Surely it wouldn’t be a simple village affair. There’d be traditions and formalities. Worse. The wedding night. With Ashley.
His feet were unsteady as he shuffled toward her. His palms grew sweaty. “Can we speak? In private?”
A grin split her face, and she looked at him as if he were the center of her world. “Of course.” She grabbed his hand and tugged.
He nearly yanked his hand away. Would it be worse for his sweaty palm to revolt her or for him to anger her by pulling away? Before he’d made a decision, she’d already led him into the alcove where they’d spoken earlier.
“Are you okay with this?” he said.
The edges of Ashley’s mouth twitched. “With what?”
It wasn’t a great time for teasing. “Hours ago, you couldn’t stand the sight of me.”
“Has no one ever informed you that changing her mind is a lady’s prerogative?” She touched his face.
So gentle and tender.
He leaned his head into her hand and lost himself in the moment. Closing his eyes, he memorized the sensation. When she pulled back, he braced his hand against the wall to keep from falling. “You remember?”
She let out an exaggerated sigh. “You are not a child. Keep yourself focused.”
He winced. “Do you even like me?”
“I’ll make you a good wife.”
Xan clenched and relaxed his hands several times. “Great. Fantastic. I’m glad. But do you even like me?”
“You do the magic, and I’ll keep your rivals from stabbing you in the back. As long as you remain loyal to me and father, you’ll wield more influence than you ever believed possible.”
He stepped back from her. “What about love?”
“You’re not on the farm anymore. If you want power, you have to grab it.” Ashley seized his hand and placed it on her breast.
Stunned, he let it rest for a moment, and his hand squeezed involuntarily. He yanked it back. “You can’t keep taking things from me. Did you ever think I might want to propose to you, not have our engagement thrust upon me? Did you ever think I might want more than just to grope you?”
“It’s not a big deal, Xan.”
“To you.”
Her hand covered her mouth as she stifled a laugh. “Don’t tell me—your first time?”
Heat rose to his face. “I’m sorry I’m not as experienced as you.”
“If that’s what you’re concerned about, you don’t have to worry.” Her face clouded. “You’ll be the first to broach me.”
“Ashley! I’m not concerned … I don’t want to … You know. That.” He shivered. Women were crazy. Noblewomen ten times so.
Her eyebrows arched. “You don’t?” She shrugged. “Arrangements can be made. A male servant, perhaps?”
Xan ground his teeth. “I didn’t mean ...” He closed his eyes for several seconds. “Why are you making this so hard?”
Ashley snickered. “It’s what I do, Xan. It’s what I do.” Her smile disappeared. “I can make you unbelievably happy.” She focused cold eyes on him. “But make no mistake about what I desire.”
What about what he wanted? Huh? He wanted to kiss her. Marrying her was beyond his wildest dreams. Why, exactly, was he fighting it?
He let out a long breath. “We have a deal.”
Ashley smiled and batted her eyelashes. “Excellent. You’re not so naïve as you pretend.” She pulled down his head to peck him on the cheek. “Now, I’ve been away from the castle too long. I must check on the mischief the courtiers have made in my absence.”
“What about training?”
“Oh, darling, I don’t think my lord father expects me on the front lines. Do you?” Ashley laughed. “Train the others.” She stopped mid-motion in a turn. “You’re going to be perfect, even down to the name. Alexander Asher.”
The curtain parted before her, and she disappeared.
Xan had to change his name? Ashers had ruled Vierna for dozens of generations, and sometimes daughters inherited. It made sense, but men didn’t do that. Did they?
He shook his head. Enough. There were much more important matters to consider than his personal life. Immediate problems with Justav and the death sentence had been resolved, but he wasn’t out of danger by a long shot.
Flynn was confident Asher had enough men to defend Asherton, meaning that, for Truna’s attack to make any sense, Irdrin had to have a significant number of mages. How was Xan supposed to do anything with seven—make that six without Ashley—mostly untrained recruits who had never trained together?
They had to prepare. Fast.
60.
Xan exited the alcove. Time to train his mage corps.
Dylan and Marisol walked hand in hand toward the exit. Lucan sulked near the front of the chamber while Brant huddled with his father. Tasia sat with her head close to Lainey’s.
Xan opened his mouth to yell, but what? Brant would probably come up with something like, “Mages assemble.” But that would just sound lame coming from Xan.
“All mages gather over here.” He sighed. Like that was so cool.
Dylan kept moving to the door. Lucan didn’t look away from examining a tapestry. Tasia gave Xan a sad shrug and returned to comforting his sister.
Brant, his expression livid, stalked toward Xan.
Why? What had he done? Oh. Right. Ashley.
Brant clenched his fists.
Not again. No more yielding to bullies.
Brant neared. Sunlight between them highlighted specks of dust. Xan fed magic into one of them. A fireball the size of a watermelon erupted. The flame singed the edges of the ridiculous white netting around Brant’s neck.
He stopped. “Are you trying to kill me?”
“If I were, you’d be dead.”
Brant closed his eyes tight.
“Don’t even think about it! I’ll burn you through the instant you open to magic!”
Brant’s eyes popped open. “You wouldn’t.”
Xan didn’t say a word as Brant studied him.
“You would, wouldn’t you? You’ve changed, Xan.”
“We’re not kids anymore.”
“Yeah, the kid I knew wouldn’t try to marry someone else’s girlfriend.”
“Seriously? You of all people …” A laugh bubbled out of Xan. “If you don’t like losing, you shouldn’t play against me.”
Brant sputtered.
“I’m sorry for anything I may have done to make things worse for you,” Xan mocked. “We’re cool right?”
Brant snarled at him. “You think you’ve won, but it isn’t over.”
A retort about engagement saying otherwise sprang to Xan’s tongue, but he stopped. What were they saying? Ashley wasn’t a prize to be won.
Brant turned and stormed away.
Maybe that was to the good anyway. Xan didn’t have time for such stupidity.
He glanced around the room. Lainey, Tasia, and Lucan hadn’t moved. Dylan had paused to watch the confrontation before continuing toward the door. Xan ran to head him and Marisol off.
“Congratulations on your new post and on getting engaged and all.” Dylan turned to Marisol. “Wait outside. I’ll catch up in a moment.”
Xan waited impatiently until she left. “Dylan, the duke put me—”
“No.”
“But—”
“Sorry, but no,” Dylan said. “I’m not like you. I don’t want adventure and battles.”
“You think I do?” Xan said. “All I want is for all of us to survive, including you and your friend.”
“By asking me to go to war? Using magic?”
“Yes!” Xan ran his hand through his hair. “You, me, the entire city … we’re all at risk. The e
nemy could have dozens of magic users, maybe even scores.”
Dylan grasped at the neck of his tunic. “I can’t handle this, man. It’s been danger and death since I broke you out of jail. Haven’t I done enough?”
“Not yet.” There was still too much at stake.
Dylan’s face fell.
“If there were any other way,” Xan said. “We need every—”
“Fine. Whatever.”
Argh!
“You know what? Never mind. Take Marisol and Lainey and leave.” At least Xan would have three fewer lives depending on him.
“Really?”
If they were as outnumbered as Xan suspected, what was two more mages? “Do it fast. Safer to be well away before night.”
“I’ll gather supplies and come back for Lainey.” Dylan held out a hand.
Xan grasped it. “Thanks for everything.” He shook his head once his friend had left. Had he just saved lives or cost them?
“Some leader the duke chose,” Lucan said from behind him.
Xan spun. “Ready to practice?”
“I won’t train you.”
“Excuse me?” Xan said. “You just saw me use magic.”
“If you think that’s all there is to it,” Lucan said, “we’re in even worse shape than I figured.”
“Teach me then.”
“No.”
“Then what good are you? How do I know you’ll fight for me when the time comes? Why shouldn’t I just have you thrown in the dungeon?”
“Because you need me.”
What? Xan had just explained the opposite. “Look, you—”
“I will do everything in my power to preserve life, even at the cost of my own. Your soldiers are going to drop by the score, and I can help with that somewhat.”
“But—”
“I will not,” Lucan said, “however, do anything that will lead to lives being taken, even to the extent of giving you information that can be used to harm others.”
“So you’re under my command as long as you like the orders I give?”
“That is not what I said.”
Rise of the Mages (Rise of the Mages 2) Page 31
