The Blue Flame [Book 1 of the Daradawn Series]

by Barbara M. Hodges

  Regan's body jerked and she dropped her head onto the pillow she hugged. “Okay,” she said through clenched teeth.

  Dirkk's smiled returned. “These little encounters are fun, but you must know you can't win."

  Regan lifted her head and glared at him in silence.

  "Now tell me, have plans been made to test your mind-link with my pets?"

  "Yes."

  Their eyes met and locked. Silence stretched between them. “Well?” Dirkk finally asked. Regan stared at him stubbornly. “Regan, do not push me. Today my mood is good. Don't spoil it."

  He stood and strolled around the room. Pausing at the nightstand, he picked up a green vase. “It matches my eyes, don't you think?"

  Regan watched him warily. He walked to the balcony doors, then turned back toward her. “Well?"

  Regan's response was a hot glare of hate. “Can I ask you a question?"

  Above his mask his right eyebrow arced. “Why not?"

  "Thomas's cave and here. How did you get by the wards?"

  His lips twisted. “You disappoint me. Special wards must be set for gateways. Peter does not know of gateway magic?"

  Regan frowned.

  "The fools should have already removed Thomas, but they think to use him to trap me.” Regan saw his eyes darken a moment with pain. “This castle, I know it as I do my own. There isn't one dark corner that Tessa and I did not explore.” Then his lips thinned into a tight, white line and with a harsh cry he dropped the vase on the bed next to the crystal. “Soon I will again walk these halls, and as its master. Now answer me."

  Regan began to shake. “A test is planned for tomorrow."

  "What is it to be?"

  "Kelsey will find a small group of Black Vipers or Ru'taha, then they will see if I can link with them."

  Dirkk smiled once more. “This is a test we must make sure you pass."

  * * * *

  Regan stretched and opened her eyes. A green vase lay beside her on the bed. She reached to pick it up and her stomach twisted in fear. Jerking her hand back, she stared at the vase. Frowning, she reached for it again, and her hand started to shake. Her stomach flip-flopped and then rumbled loudly. “Low blood sugar,” she murmured. “I need food."

  She glanced down at the rumpled bed. Hey, what happened to the dresses? Then she remembered they had not been on the bed when she had stormed in. She stood and walked to the wardrobe. The dresses hung side by side in its middle. Why did Mary-Anne put them away?

  "Regan, are you awake?” Kelsey called from the door.

  "Come on in."

  Kelsey came through the door and walked to Regan. “What are you doing?"

  "I was just wondering why Mary-Anne put the dresses away."

  "I suppose Tessa told her the formal dinner was postponed."

  Kelsey's voice sounded strange and Regan looked at her sister closely. Kelsey's eyes and mouth were drawn and tight. “What's happened?"

  Kelsey turned away and walked to the bed. She saw the green vase and turned to her sister, a question in her eyes.

  "I don't know how it got there,” Regan said.

  Kelsey picked up the vase and placed it back on the night stand. “Dirkk left us a present outside the valley barricade."

  "What is it?"

  "A child ... well, really a baby."

  "A baby?"

  "It is the grandchild of the one of the merchants."

  "But..."

  Kelsey's hands clenched into fists. “And a note."

  Regan swallowed. “What did it say?"

  "The babe was too young. Not enough flesh to work with,” Kelsey said.

  "Oh, God.” Regan fought the urge to retch. “How can someone be such a monster?"

  Taking a deep breath, Kelsey relaxed her hands. “The babe's grandmother said her daughter lives in the village of Lrya. I'm riding now to find out the truth.” Her voice was devoid of emotion.

  "I'm going with you."

  "No, just Rourk and I are going."

  "But..."

  "Regan, you would only be in the way."

  Regan stiffened, then turned and walked to the balcony door.

  "Sometimes stealth is better than magic. We're not even taking Peter."

  "Is that why dinner was canceled?"

  Kelsey glanced toward the door. “The merchants demanded another audience with the queen. She's with them now."

  Regan grimaced. “Oh."

  "I'll see you as soon as I return.” Kelsey turned toward the door.

  "Kelsey.” Her sister stopped, her hand on the doorknob. “Be careful."

  Kelsey nodded, then opened the door, and walked out.

  Regan stared at the closed door. She'll be okay. She's not the same Kelsey I knew.

  She moved across the room and sat on the edge of the bed. Sudden revulsion shook her. Choking with panic, she dropped onto her knees and crawled a few feet from the bed. Gasping for air she turned and stared at it. What was wrong with her? First the vase, now this. Still trembling, she stood, walked to the bed and looked down. Her shuddering increased until her teeth chattered. I'm just hungry. I need to find the kitchen.

  Afraid to turn her back on the bed, she walked backwards to the door, fumbled for the knob and opened it. As her hand rested on the doorknob, a vague memory of blackness, evil and emerald green teased, but then vanished.

  * * * *

  Regan reached the end of the stairs and stepped into the long hall. She looked up and down. “Where is everybody?” Mentally tossing a coin, she turned left.

  She soon lost count of the doors and halls that branched off the one she walked. Finally she stopped in defeated disgust. She hadn't seen a soul. Face it, you're never going to find the kitchen.

  Across from her she saw a shadowy alcove and stairs leading up. Great. She'd come full circle. I guess the best thing to do is go back and wait in Kelsey's room. Someone's bound to remember me—eventually.

  She climbed up and came to a door. Regan opened the door, then stopped in bewilderment. Peter looked up from a table where a large book lay open before him.

  "What are you doing in my room?” she demanded.

  Peter closed the book and stood. “This is my room."

  She glanced around. The walls and furnishings were ice blue and silver. Feeling a complete fool, she muttered, “I'm sorry,” under her breath and turned to leave.

  "Regan, wait. I would like to talk to you."

  She dropped her gaze to the white marble floor. It was polished to so high a gloss it shimmered, reflecting to every inch of the room the light from the mage globes hovering in each corner. “What do we have to say to each other?"

  "I would like to apologize. Would you come in and close the door?” Regan's stomach chose that moment to loudly complain of its emptiness. “Mary-Anne is bringing me up some dinner. Would you join me?"

  "I do have to eat,” she said, taking a couple of steps into the room, “but the door stays open."

  "As you wish, my lady."

  She glanced at the closed book on the table.

  "It belonged to my grandfather,” he said. “It tells of his discovery of the rifts, and his journeys through them."

  "How many did you say there are?"

  "Seven."

  Regan crossed to the table and looked down at the book. The cover was dark brown leather. Inside a red circle in its center, a unicorn with a crown of gold like the one upon the pennants pawed the air. Radiating outwards from the circle were thousands of small cracks but, inside the circle of red, the leather remained smooth.

  "They say if the cracks ever enter the circle and touch the unicorn, Raya and the House of De'Amberville will fall.” Peter picked up the book and walked to a desk in the back. “I keep it here, heavily warded. If Dirkk knew how to travel the rifts, your world would be in extreme danger."

  "What do you mean? We came through."

  "Anyone can come through. It is impossible to return without the knowledge.” He laid the book down, caressing the
unicorn's crown with his fingertips before turning to face her.

  "I thought Dirkk knew about and controlled the other rifts,” Regan said.

  "Dirkk knows of them, and yes, he does keep us from getting to them, but he does not know how to use them."

  Regan gasped and the room wavered before her eyes.

  "Regan, what is wrong? Here, sit down,” he said, placing an arm around her shoulders and leading her to his bed.

  "Does Dirkk know of the book?” she asked in a small voice.

  "Yes, but it is safe here, for he has no idea where it is. How about a small lesson in magic as we wait? I will show you how warding is done."

  "No.” She scrambled to her feet. “I don't want you to show me."

  He stared at her, his face puzzled. “I thought you wanted to know more of warding."

  She rubbed her forehead. “I do."

  "I do not understand."

  She lifted her gaze to his. “I don't either. Does Thomas know where you keep this book?"

  "Only Tessa, I, and now you."

  Regan shuddered.

  He held her look, a frown creasing his forehead. “Has something happened I do not know?"

  She blinked, then shook her head. “How could it? I haven't left the castle since we arrived. I'm just tired—tired and hungry. When's Mary-Anne going to get here?"

  "I'm here now, Miss.” A voice came from behind them.

  Regan turned. “Mary-Anne. I hope you've brought enough for two. I'm starving."

  The maid sniffed. “If not, there's more where this came from.” She entered and placed a white napkin-covered tray on the table. The smell of roasted meat and bread made Regan's mouth water. “Would you like wine or water with your meal?"

  "Wine,” Peter said.

  "Water,” Regan said.

  Mary-Anne smiled. “I will bring both.” She turned and walked out the door.

  Regan crossed to the food-laden table. “Do you think wine is a good idea considering what happened earlier in Kelsey's bedroom."

  Peter pulled the napkin from the tray and started to pile a plate high with slices of beef, roasted carrots, and potatoes. A bowl of purple beans sat next to a platter of bread, and Regan picked up a bean and popped it into her mouth.

  "Considering the way things were when we parted last, I did not think it was anything to worry about.” He paused and looked up at her. “I guess this is as good a time as any to apologize."

  She swallowed the cool, sweet juice of the bean, then reached out and touched his hand. “Don't. It was as much my fault as yours. Can we just forget about it?"

  He grinned. “Consider it forgotten.” He handed the mounded plate to her. “Let us eat."

  * * * *

  Regan watched Peter drink from the chalice, then lower it from his mouth. A burgundy drop of wine clung to his lower lip, and his tongue came out and flicked it inward. Her lower belly tightened in response. You're playing with fire, she told herself. You shouldn't be here. Her gaze wandered to the silver-blue, satin-covered, bed that took up a large part of the room."What are you thinking?” he asked.

  Regan turned her gaze back to him. “Nothing, why?"

  "You had a strange look on your face..."

  "Just worried about Kelsey."

  "You do not have to be. She and Rourk have done this before."

  Regan pushed her chair back from the table and stood. “How much longer do you think they'll be?"

  He grinned. “Sometimes they stay away all night."

  "But—oh, I see. In that case, I think I should go."

  "You could wait here with me."

  "But you just said they could be out all night."

  He reached across, and she felt his fingertips brush the side of her cheek. “I know,” he said.

  Her gaze fastened on his mouth. She remembered how it felt pressed against hers. I could stay. No one need know. He cupped her chin and drew her closer.

  "Peter!” The name was bellowed from the stairs and Regan jerked back.

  "Damn,” Peter muttered, then called. “In here, Angus."

  "Have you seen Regan?” Angus asked. His bushy brows came together, forming a wing above his eyes when he saw her. “Humph,” he snorted. “No time for that now. Kelsey's back. She's waiting downstairs in the Queen's sitting room. She wants us."

  "We were just having dinner,” Regan said. Angus snickered at the two of them before turning away.

  "Great,” Regan said, pushing back her chair. “Kelsey's going to think I can't keep my promise more than half a day."

  "What promise was that?” Peter asked.

  "That we wouldn't do anything to harm Daradawn."

  "We have not done anything and, if we had, it would not have harmed Daradawn.” She darted an exasperated glance at him. “She seems to think you can't keep your mind on what's important with me around."

  "Kelsey is wrong and tomorrow we will prove it. Now come."

  * * * *

  Kelsey stood in front of the fireplace. She turned as they entered.

  "Where's Rourk?” Regan asked.

  "He's seeing to the horses. I saw Queen Tessa. She's still mired down with the merchants and said to go ahead without her."

  Regan walked closer to her sister and frowned. Kelsey's shirt and trousers were stained and torn. A large bruise marred her left cheekbone.

  "How did that happen?” Regan asked, touching the bruise.

  Kelsey winced and pulled away from the fingers. “A limb,” she said, offering no more. Bells jingled behind them and they all turned.

  Maggie pranced in the door wearing a collar of tiny silver bells around her neck.

  "Well, look at you,” Regan said.

  "It's silly,” Angus grumbled. “The children decided she looked like a court jester and needed some bells."

  Peter knelt beside the dog and lifted her ear. “She was scratching, so I warded the bells against fleas and other unwanted pests. Looks like it worked."

  "They're very pretty,” Regan said, patting the dog's head.

  "Undignified for a dwarf,” Angus said.

  Rourk walked through the door and crossed to stand by Kelsey. Their eyes met briefly. “It is as we'd feared,” Kelsey said. “The village is empty."

  Regan saw Peter close his eyes and lean his forehead against Maggie's neck.

  "There was one bright spot,” Kelsey said. “We came upon a small group of Ru'taha camped just outside the pass. We can use them for Regan's test.” Kelsey leaned against Rourk, tiredness showing in her face and shoulders.

  "I'm off to bed. I suggest the rest of you do the same. I'd like to start early tomorrow."

  "I'll walk with you to the stairs,” Rourk said. “Tonight I feel the need to be in the stables. I will have the horses ready tomorrow when you are."

  "Would you like some company?” Angus asked. “I feel that sleep will be a stranger to me tonight."

  "Fine, friend dwarf. We will see this night through together."

  Regan watched in silence as the three of them left the room. She heard a soft curse and turned to face Peter. “He must be stopped."

  Regan moved closer to him and touched his arm. “We will stop him, starting tomorrow. Now let's go to bed."

  Peter opened his eyes and sat back on his heels. “A tempting proposition, but one I must decline. You go ahead; I must think."

  Regan almost said that she hadn't intended for them to share a bed, then stopped. Maybe she had. “Come on, Maggie. How about sharing mine and Kelsey's bed tonight?"

  Maggie woofed softly and followed Regan from the room.

  Chapter 19

  REGAN STRETCHED, THEN winced as her lower back complained about her restless night spent on the floor. She looked with embarrassed irritation toward the bed where Kelsey lay snoring, Maggie curled tight against her. She remembered the hurt look on her sister's face when she had asked for the spare blanket.

  "I don't bite,” Kelsey said when Regan took the blanket and curled up in front of the fir
eplace.

  "I know. The bed is too soft for my back."

  Kelsey knew it was a lie, but she had shrugged and turned away.

  Regan stared at the bed with a puzzled frown. First the bed, and then the nightmare.

  A black, flying phantom had pursued her across a dark valley crowded with a labyrinth of bare twisted-limb trees and thick low-growing vines. The vines bristled with sharp, thorny fingers that had grabbed at her flowing gown as she ran.

  Shivering at the memory, she kicked the blanket aside and scrambled across to the screened chamber pot. Minutes later, standing next to the porcelain bowl, she looked around in chagrin. It doesn't seem right just to leave it here. Oh well, when in Rome.

  She rounded the screen and walked to the middle of the room. At the foot of Kelsey's bed, the first fingers of morning sun fell across a pale green-and-rose rug. It looks like a hopscotch pattern. She'd been the hopscotch queen in grade school. Grinning, she reached for the top of one of the perfume bottles on the vanity. It was diamond shaped, and glistened like a crystal. Sudden fear rippled through her. This is so stupid. What is wrong with me? She reached for the perfume stopper again. As her fingertips brushed the top, her hand started to shake. Clenching her hand into a fist she backed away from the vanity.

  Is Kelsey going to sleep all day? She thought briefly of jumping in the middle of the bed and tickling her sister to wakefulness. Instead, she bent, scooped up the blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She walked to the twin balcony doors and stepped outside.

  She moved to the parapet and looked down at the commons already crowded with people. Stretching, she inhaled deeply and then sneezed at the smell of smoke from the open fires mixing with the salt tang of the ocean. The damp stone chilled her bare feet and she padded further left, into a patch of sun. Lifting her hand to shade her eyes, she looked out across a smooth sheet of blue ocean. Above the sea a flock of white birds dove and reeled. They looked like gulls. Were they native here, or did they find their way here through a rift? Maybe behind Peter's grandfather?