Chapter 5. The Fallen Tower

riel slapped Pendaran’s hand away, annoyed by his possessive and greedy grasp.  They were bedding down for the night on the common room floor of The Fallen Tower at Grendich Courthouse.  He hovered around her like an eager dog ready to engage in play.  As mesmers went, he certainly fit the profile with his fair appearance and charm.  But what made him so perfect for her purposes was his gross incompetence.  While he was capable of simple spells to defeat wimpy charr and harmless animals, he appeared to be completely oblivious to the emotions and surface thoughts of those around him.  A true mesmer would have soon detected her desire to deceive him.

Not that she was constantly focusing upon her plans for him, but when they did cross her mind and she was actively manipulating him, he genuinely had no clue.  How had he managed to survive in such a brutal world while professing mesmeric talents?  He was a fraud, an untalented fop with an actor’s charm, passable legerdemain, and the skills of a petty thief.  Did he have any clue how pathetic he was?

Pendaran had no restraint and no pride.  Uriel curled into her bedding and rolled onto her side propped up on one elbow.  She patted the blankets beside her, amused when he scooted obediently in place.  His gaze fell upon the sapphire at her throat, his true desire transparent to her.  Only the two of them could see it, and by that virtue she knew he had already set one foot into the snare.  There was still a chance he might bolt or grow weary of her, but if she played the game well she might win her freedom at last.

Pendaran grinned and peeled off his rich brocade jacket and loose linen blouse, teasing her as he slowly released the buttons and revealed his well-formed body.  His lightly muscled physique was indeed pleasant to gaze upon.  As he disrobed in the lantern light, however, she saw scars upon his ribs that she had not seen before. His back was scored by the distinctive marks of a flogging.  And not just one beating, but many over a long period of time.

“Who did that to you?” she asked, running a hand over the small of his back.  She wondered why she had not noticed them last night for they felt course and violent beneath her probing fingers.  He flinched away, anger blazing in his eyes as he reached for his blankets.

“I don’t want your pity,” he snapped.

“Maybe I have no pity,” she replied, “After all, it is not uncommon for a thief to be rewarded with the lash.”

He burned with embarrassment and looked away.  Uriel nearly laughed.  Pendaran was the worst mesmer she had ever met.  Did he seriously think she was unaware of what he was?

“I am not a thief,” Pendaran growled, moving away from her.

“Because you have never been caught?  Because you have outrun the law?”

He glared at her, annoyed that she could see right through him.

“What law?” he asked, gesturing roughly toward the door, “There is no law out there.  I take what I need to survive.”

“Like a mink cloak?”

“Leave me alone, shrew.  You know not what I have endured.”

Uriel wanted to scoff at the raw pain in his voice.  It was hard to feel sorry for him.  Whatever he had endured, she was certain he had brought it upon himself.  In her experience, most people got exactly what they deserved.

Still, it was hard to look at him as he curled on his side, alone with his wretchedness.  Truthfully, her own life had been a living hell over the last few years.  Morisedd’s love for her was strained to breaking and they rarely kissed let alone made love.  Now, while they were alone, she decided she would glean a little pleasure from this miserable curse and have her way with Pendaran.  At least he had one remarkable talent amid his jumbled repertoire.

“Stop moping and get to work while we have some privacy,” she said, sensing that he craved harshness with his lovemaking.  He rolled over to face her, his eyes glistening in the dimness beneath his blanket.  His was a face to melt the hearts of demons, a blend of rogue and angel. 

“I don’t want to talk,” he said quietly, “No talk and I will pleasure you and be done.”

She nodded, rolling onto her back to invite him into her willing arms.  All she wanted was an hour of bliss to balance against years of grief.  She stretched out her neck beneath the light whisper of his kisses and the salty rain of his tears. 

He was perfect, both vile and sensitive, the answer to five years of fervent prayers.  She could not let him get away.  Raising her hands, she drew his face down, her lips working over his brow until their mouths met and she kissed him in a way that she had only kissed one other, Morisedd, the man she truly loved above all others.  Pendaran moaned and swooned, shuddering against her and utterly at her mercy.

No, she would not let this one get away.