Flamecaster (Shattered Realms, #1)(109)

“Give me another suggestion,” Ash said. “Something a little more creative than self-sacrifice.”

She studied on it a while, and then her eyes lit up. “You said that the emissary’s ship is here, in the harbor?”

Ash nodded.

“What if we blow it up, and put the blame on Arden?”

“We?” Ash raised an eyebrow. He reached up and tapped his collar. “And this would happen how? I’m out of commission when it comes to attack magic, remember.”

Jenna rolled her eyes. “It’s not all about you, healer. I’m no wizard, and I’ve been blowing things up for years. I can tell you what you’ll need, and how to do it. You probably wouldn’t want to use magery anyway, if we want to blame it on Arden.”

Yes, Ash thought. I am in love with this girl.

He heard Taliesin’s voice in his head.

It’s the worst thing in the world, to risk yourself by loving someone. At the same time, it’s the best thing in the world—and worth the risk.

Jenna’s mind was elsewhere. “Do you know someone who can get black powder, fuses, and the like?”

Ash nodded, thinking of Lila. “I do.”

“I’ll make a list then. But you have to promise me something.”

“Promise you what?”

“You’ll free the dragon if you can.”

Ash pressed his lips together to prevent words from spilling out, but Jenna saw.

“You’re wondering why I have this fixation on a dragon I’ve never met?”

“The thought . . . did occur to me,” Ash said carefully.

“The dragon didn’t volunteer,” Jenna said. “Anyway, I just—I can’t help feeling that I—that it’s going to be important, going forward.” She looked up at him. “Can you trust me on that? I’m not asking for a contract. All I’m asking is that you try.”

Ash swallowed hard. “I’ll do what I can.” He paused. “Have you thought about what might happen to you if the deal falls through? It’s not like the king is going to set you free.”

Jenna shrugged. “I’m from Delphi. I should have been dead a long time ago.”

“Some things are worse than death,” Ash said.

“Then give me an out.” She held out her hand and wiggled her fingers.

“That again?”

“No, healer. This is different. I don’t want to die. I want to live. I want to hear the bells in the temple church in Delphi, ringing out the victory. I want to hike into the Spirit Mountains and speak to witches and faeries. I want to sail over the ocean, all the way to the horizon and beyond. I want to go all those places I’ve never seen, except in books. I want to fly—”

He raised both hands. “All right,” he said, “but, remember, I—”

“I want more of this.” She pulled his head down and kissed him soundly on the lips. “And this.” Sliding her hands under his doublet, under his shirt, finding the bare skin, she lay back in the chair and pulled him down on top of her, wrapping her legs around him.

“I have plans for you, Wolf,” she growled, biting at his ear. “I don’t intend to die any time soon.”

“I believe you,” he said hoarsely.

An hour later, by the temple bells, they still lay tangled together in the chair, their clothing in definite disarray.

There is a lot can be done in a chair, Ash thought. Maybe we can just live in this chair from now on.

“I’d better go,” he mumbled against her shoulder.

Jenna yawned and snuggled in closer. “This is scandalous, you know, that we’ve spent so much unchaperoned time together.”

“Are you complaining?”

“No!” she exclaimed, with such fervor that he laughed. “It’s just—in Bruinswallow, I think we’d be considered married, and I still don’t know your real name.”

Ash searched her eyes, brushing her lips with his fingertips. “Do you really want to know? Because I’ll tell you.”

She returned his gaze for a long moment, then shook her head. “It can keep. I rather like Adam Wolf. When this is all over, you can take me to meet your mother.”

“I’ll do that,” he said, realizing that he wanted them to meet.

She grimaced. “She’ll probably hate me.”

“You’re wrong,” Ash said. “She’ll probably like you more than me.” He took her face between his hands and kissed her nose and her eyelids. Then gently freed himself, straightened his clothing, and buttoned up.

She wrapped up in a quilt, found paper and a quill, and wrote him a list. Then told him exactly what to do with the items on it.

Ash slid his finger under his silver collar and brought out a tiny packet made of cloth. He held it up for her inspection. “This contains two berries, known as baneberry. A single berry will kill you within minutes.”

She stared at it. “You’ve had this all along?”

“You never know when you might face the sudden need to die,” he said. “Or for someone else to die.”

Jenna eyed the packet. “Is it—is it painful?”

“Would I choose something painful?” Ash snorted. “I’m told it’s quite pleasant.” He showed her the cords attached to the packet. “This ties in place, inside your clothing. Any questions?”