by Cate Rowan
“It has to be, given all that green grass,” Val said, but even he sounded doubtful. Because the sun did indeed seem to be shining on the stones of the castle — or at least what they could see of them through the pelting rain where they stood.
“I don’t like this place.” Darius could feel it like a weight pressing down, despite the pretty vision ahead of him. “There’s magic here. Let’s not mess with it.”
“I say magic is for finding.” Val had a playful glint in his eye.
Damn it all, he would find this amusing.
“We can’t thieve magic the way we could a horse or a meal,” Jasper snapped, apparently almost as unnerved as Darius himself.
“How do we know until we encounter it?” Val said. “Or rather, whoever is creating it.” He examined the curving castle with a gaze well acquainted with female curvature. “Let’s see if the master of the castle — or perhaps mistress, in this case — needs three more men-at-arms.” He pivoted to Darius. “That is our goal, isn’t it?”
Darius growled deep in his throat, for it was. But he’d been leading them toward Kahat, which was decidedly practical and un-magical. Much less of a risk.
Ever since they’d been orphaned, they’d done whatever necessary to survive. If that meant thievery, so be it. Lying? Fine. As they’d grown into men, they’d taken up arms both to learn a trade and to protect themselves. If hiring out their skills with sword and axe meant money earned or a roof above for the three of them, it was done. And if they charmed an inn wench or a farmer’s wife or a bejeweled lady for a night or a week — or dozens of women along the way — all the better. They’d lived and survived, together. That was the way.
Darius shook his head. “No. This wasn’t on the map. This wasn’t the plan.”
“Neither was the rain.” Val’s words were mild, but the excitement in his eyes was unmistakable.
“Mess with magic and you mess with things far beyond our grasp. No, Val. This isn’t for the likes of us.”
“It could be, if only you weren’t so stubborn.” Val nodded toward the castle. “How do we know this isn’t our lucky chance at a new life? That fate hasn’t finally stepped up and offered us everything we’ve ever wanted?”
Jasper spat at the ground and eyed his younger brother. “You always did dream big, Val. I should have pummeled that nonsense out of you when you were two.”
Val raised his chin. “Do you want to be a soldier taking orders, or a thief doomed to sneak all your lives? I want adventure and fun and a chance for bigger things. I don’t know what we’ll find in there, but it’ll be a damn sight better than this rain. And either we’ll find a meal and dry shelter for the night, or a new job for weeks or more, or something even better than that.” He glanced toward the castle again. “Because we all have skills, my brothers. And something tells me there’s a woman or two in there who could use them.”
“You and your eager cock,” Jasper said. But his gaze darted toward the castle and its sunny halo, and Darius could tell he was considering the idea.
“There are women in Kahat, Val,” Darius said. “Several dozen, no doubt, who’ll remember you from last time.”
“All the better reason to stay the night here,” Jasper drawled. “One or two might be after Val with a knife.”
Val smiled. “Ah, but it’s only the ones who’ve loved me the most who want to kill me. That’ll be, let’s see . . . ” and he pretended to count on his fingers, “all of them.”
Even Darius snorted at that, and then he turned and took a step back down the path toward Kahat; those two lunkheads would follow. He was the eldest.
“Oh brother,” Val called out. “What would Father say of you backing down from a challenge?”
Darius froze, and a coldness roused inside him. Val had stirred the wrong anthill. “What would you know of it?” he snarled over his shoulder. “You could barely piss on your own when he left us.”
“I’ve heard you and Jasper talk of him all my life.” Val stood quietly, which was rare enough for him, with a serious expression that was equally unusual.
“Even Jas was barely able to toddle a straight line back then, Val.”
Jasper glared at Darius. “I was four, and well able to walk, and run, and keep up with you.”
Too late, Darius realized it had been a tactical error to throw an off-the-cuff dig at Jasper. Jas, already wavering about whether to try the castle or go to Kahat, would be pushed to Val’s side. He shook his head. “Father’s not the point.”
“And what is?” Val asked.
“I’m the eldest. I’ve led us all, through hell and back, for twenty years, and that’s why we’ve survived. So follow me now. This” — and he nodded at the castle, eerily lit by sunlight that didn’t reach the brothers — “isn’t the way.”
Jas pursed his mouth in thought, then gave a slow nod and moved as if to follow Darius. Val glanced one last time at the palace, envy and yearning in his expression. And then fate weighed in.
The main doors of the castle opened with a moan. And not just any moan — the very entrancing moan of a woman in the throes of passion.
If there was one way to get his brothers’ attention, Darius thought grimly, that was it.
Into the empty doorway stepped a woman, black-haired, emerald-gowned, and lithe. They were too far away to see her face, but Darius had no doubt it would be one of the fairest they could lay eyes on in all the lands.
She waited a moment, as if demure, and waved them nearer with a graceful gesture. Despite the distance, her voice reached them as a sultry whisper. “Come, travelers. Come to shelter and comfort.”
That was all the invitation Val needed. He broke toward her as if entranced.
Jasper and Darius gave each other a wary look and then followed after Val. No man left behind. But every nerve in Darius’s body was clanging in alarm.
The moment Darius stepped from rain into sun, he knew there was no going back, and no escape. Whatever had brought them here, whoever the woman was, they were doomed.
3
Because Darius stayed close to Val as they walked toward the door, he spotted the look exchanged between his heedless youngest brother and the woman at the castle doors. Yep, Val was steered by his cock.
He almost couldn’t blame Val. But the magic they’d already seen made him more than wary of the woman.
No, not just a woman; a sorceress.
She had a look of power, a confidence that needed no man’s help to set her porcelain skin glowing. Her kohl-rimmed, exotic eyes were a startling blue, deeper than the oddly sunlit sky above them, and the faintest hint of rose accentuated her cheeks. With hair as dark as a moonless night, she was striking indeed. And that was even before considering the fine net of jewels — sparkling rubies, emeralds and diamonds — winking all over her hair, or the drape of gossamer fabric that clung to tantalizing curves.
“What is this place, my lady?” Darius began as they neared her, to forestall Val as long as possible. “It isn’t on our map.”
“Indeed not.” Close now, her voice was melodious beyond words, as if every harmony he’d ever heard was there, just beyond his hearing. “It is not on any map.”
“Then how did it come to be here? Or how did we, for that matter?”
She gave a nonchalant shrug. “It was meant to be.”
Darius noted she did not say who had meant it. He had his suspicions, and they began with her.
“You are wet and cold, travelers,” she said. “The rooms here are warm, with a fire in each that can heat you back to comfort, and baths of crystalline waters that will soothe any ache.” She gave a coquettish look at each of them, lingering on Val. “Well, almost any.”
She made a small gesture with her fingers that drew all of them through the doorway into a gilded entrance hall, yet Darius wasn’t sure his feet had even moved.
The keep door shut behind them with a low thump.
“Lady,” Darius spoke again, his pulse thudding, “we are indeed travel
ers, and not those used to high style. We cannot pay for such luxuries as you describe.”
She lowered her eyelashes and gave a seductive half-smile. “I offer you the hospitality of my house. But if you wish it, you’ll be well able to repay me in other ways.”
“Any debt to you, beautiful lady,” said Val, “would be my privilege to pay.”
Her smile toward Val dazzled in its whiteness.
Gods above, be careful with your offers, my brother, Darius begged silently, all the while knowing it was of no use. Val was an incorrigible womanizer, and his favorite appendage was always willing and able.
Even Jas seemed a goner — his mistrust seemed to have dissolved as soon as the sorceress spoke. Though silent as usual, Jasper’s eyes followed the lady with an intensity that chilled Darius’s blood.
Darius eyed the sorceress warily, wondering if he was the only brother whose wits hadn’t turned. As highly as he thought of his own skill at arms, two brothers against one weren’t ideal odds. Add in the lady, and whatever powers she possessed, and things were looking grim.
“Come with me,” she said, “and enjoy the best of my hospitality.” As she swiveled away, she once again made a small gesture with her fingers, and then Darius was following her before he realized it, along with his two brothers. Valerian and Jas looked equally surprised, though also besotted rather than appropriately alarmed.
She glided across the marble floor before them and then into a smaller hall and gestured toward three doors along one side. “Here are your rooms.”
Three doors. Darius gave an internal sigh. Three problems, once again.
“Valerian is my name, my lady.” Val gave a deep bow.
“I’m Jasper.” The roughness in Jas’s voice belied carnal thoughts.
“My lady,” Darius began, pointedly not giving his name, “three rooms is too many for us. As brothers, we shall share.” Whatever this night would bring, he wanted his siblings nearby so he could keep an eye on them. And restrain them bodily, if necessary.
“But Darius,” Val said, and the use of the name forced another internal sigh. “Where are your manners? The lady has offered us three rooms, and we will be honored to take them.”
Then Val sidled closer, and his low voice hummed with intensity: “Three is too much company tonight, if you know what I mean.”
I know what you mean, Darius thought, but I’d rather not have to pull your balls through your throat.
“May we ask your name, Lady?” Jasper said.
Darius nearly choked at Jasper’s sudden display of gentlemanliness.
“In this place,” she said, “you may call me Lady Ina.”
Darius quirked a brow. “You have other names in other places?”
“Indeed.” She flashed a smile as if she not only accepted his skepticism, but expected it. Yet she explained no more and waved her hand toward the doors. “These rooms contain all you require. Choose yours, settle in, and then come to the main hall to dine with me when the bell rings. Enjoy your stay, my guests.” And she floated off with a last, flirtatious glance at Val before disappearing around a corner. Jas seemed too besotted to notice her preference. Darius felt like punching them both.
I’m standing in a sorceress’s lair and they’re lovesick pups seeking her milk. How can I get them safely away from here? He’d practically raised his brothers, kept them fed and clothed, and this was how they were repaying him.
He grabbed Val and Jasper’s tunics and twisted until the cloth tightened about their necks, then yanked them toward the first room. Jas remained stoic while Val gave a mild yelp.
“Keep your heads about you,” Darius growled. “That woman is a sorceress and we are now her pawns, thanks to you two morons. Do not touch anything — or anyone, do you hear me, Val? — without my leave.”
His brothers looked both ashamed and deeply offended. Darius hoped this meant they were listening for a change. “I should put you both back in diapers. You’re clearly not ready for adulthood.”
“I’m four-and-twenty,” Jasper finally rasped. “Old enough to choose my own path.”
“I’m two-and-twenty,” Val said. “Old enough to drink, fuck, or die.”
“Perfect,” Darius said, “since I’m eight-and-twenty and riled enough to kill you both.” He let them both go with a rough shake. “And if tonight is the end of the years I’ve kept you two safe and mostly sane, I’ll be more than glad to rid myself of the responsibility for the both of you!”
“I never asked you to mother me.” Val straightened his tunic.
“Nor I.” Jasper had yanked his sleeves down and was examining the room.
“Neither of you could find your asses with both hands.” Darius slammed his pack on the floor to end the conversation and proceeded to look around, himself. His jaw unhinged.
Darius considered himself a worldly man. Growing up a poor orphan with two younger brothers to protect was not a way to stay innocent. But nothing in his life had prepared him for the pure luxury of that room.
The chamber was a daydream of decadence and ease. Gold gleamed from every surface, almost as if fabled King Midas had touched them. Where it wasn’t gold, it was lapis or ivory, carnelian or exotic wood. Not a speck of dust marred the shining jewel accents, the glistening oil lamps or the enormous bed adorned with sheets whiter than clouds.
As a boy, Darius had wished desperately for the funds to keep himself and his brothers fed and safely sheltered from the darkness of the world. Money meant security, comfort, ease, peace — things they’d never had. A single gilded oil lamp of the many in this room was worth more than all the real coins he’d ever touched in his life plus all the fake worth of his counterfeits. Selling off just one lamp would have kept him and his brothers comfortable for years on end.
He wanted that comfort, that security. He wanted it so fiercely that swallowing his desperation for it was like choking on dry bread while dying of thirst.
Could there be another room anywhere in the world that was this expensive and out of their league, even in the palaces of kings?
Yet his honed instincts were screaming out: could there be anything in this room they could steal?
He shook himself, cleared his throat, nearly choked again. He was a guest here. There were very strict morals and laws about the conduct of guests and hosts. Even a thief had limits.
But oh, did he yearn . . .
“Mother of all,” Val breathed beside him.
Jas was silent, but Darius knew his middle brother’s face well. Jas was just as stunned.
“One lamp . . .” Val began.
“I know. But don’t touch.” Darius spoke it flatly, because he wanted so badly to touch one of them himself.
“They’re small. That one would fit into my travel sack so easily,” Jasper said, staring at a lamp placed serenely on an ivory ledge along the wall.
“These are the lamps of a sorceress. Steal one and you might turn into a fire-breathing dragon or a screeching galla. Magic, Jas. Keep your hands off it, off all of them, for all our sakes.” But Darius’s own hands itched to touch the lamp on the ledge, caress its golden curves, see what happened.
“Why steal it when her hospitality has been freely offered? Maybe we could live here for years among all of this,” Val said, staring up at the gilded ceiling.
“Bite your tongue,” Darius said. “Or I’ll cut it out for you.” How was he going to get three thieves, himself included, out of this castle alive and intact?
Jasper settled onto a leather couch tanned passion red, his face intensely calculating. “Any woman with this much wealth has to be good to know.”
Darius turned and gave him the Older Brother Stare. “Is every rich person worthy?”
Jasper, unfazed, held his gaze. “Maybe, if it’s a woman who can be seduced by our charms.”
Standing by the bed, Darius slid a hand down the smooth and curving wood, unlike the rough-hewn, sparse furniture he’d always known. This bed had been designed and built by maste
r craftsmen, maybe in lands that he and his brothers had never seen. “A woman like her doesn’t need the likes of us.”
“Speak for yourself.” Val stretched his arms above his head, then cracked his knuckles. “As I mentioned, we have skills. Maybe she could use them. She did invite us in, after all.”
“As visitors. Travelers. Not as lovers.”
“Not if I can help it,” Val said.
“Nor I.” Jasper gave Val a challenging glare.
Val scowled back. “When we were outside, she called to me. She already made her choice.”
“Since she hasn’t seen your tiny twig yet, we’ll just see about that, won’t we?”
“We won’t,” Darius said, making a cutting motion with his hand. “We’ll do nothing of the sort. Only an idiot would tangle with a sorceress.”
Val raised his hand. “For her, I’m willing to experiment.”
“Not if I get to her first,” Jas growled.
Darius’s headache redoubled as his two younger brothers glowered at each other. “Keep your mouths shut and your hands to yourselves, or I’ll tan both your hides!”
Jasper shifted his black stare to Darius. “I’ve had enough of you telling me what to do. I’m taking a different room. Try to stop me and I’ll smash your skull on this marble floor.” He grabbed his pack and stalked toward the doorway.
Val watched him. “He’s smarter than you give him credit for, Dar. And so am I.” Val swung his own pack up and strode off. “See you at dinner, Mother. If you’re lucky.”
4
Watching Jas and Val stalk out the door, Darius yearned to knock some sense into them. But he knew he’d take some knocks himself in the attempt — and that the harder he pushed now, the more pig-headedly his brothers would resist. Problems came in threes, and he was one of three brothers — each of whom was a problem to the core. He decided to let some time pass while exploring the chamber.
He felt small within the ostentatious room despite his muscles and height. Displays of wealth had always made him feel like a bumbling toddler with a chubby fist outstretched toward something he’d never be allowed to have.
