Mesmer, Book 1: Sanctuary (A Three Towers Fantasy)

Mesmer, Book 1: Sanctuary

(A Three Towers Fantasy)

by Isabella Amaris

Mesmer, Book 1: Sanctuary (A Three Towers Fantasy)

Copyright © 2012 Isabella Amaris

Cover Design Copyright © 2021 Isabella Amaris

Smashwords Edition

http://isabellaamaris.com/

http://isabellaamaris.blogspot.com/

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author.

This publication is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this publication are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to purchase their own copy. Thank you for your support.

EBOOK DESCRIPTION:

A hidden kingdom in a forbidden forest.

A realm she can’t escape without the trust of a mage.

But trust and magic make complicated allies – when time is running out.

When Lea escapes ruthless pursuers within the shadows of a dark forest, she unwittingly stumbles upon an enchanted kingdom. But Verlaine is not the sanctuary it appears to be. And when its magi sovereign refuses to let her leave, her encounters with strange sorcery and malicious fey become the least of Lea's problems.

Soon, Lea must find a way to outwit Gabriel Amarinth’s web of enchantment without betraying who – and what – she really is; and before a traitor can destroy all she’s fought to protect in her beloved home kingdom of Lorien.

For my mother,

for always being the woman she is.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

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Chapter 1

Lea’s lids fluttered open. Silence hung heavy about her. She was faintly aware of being afraid, but she couldn’t remember why. It took her a minute to register that it was barely dawn, and that she was in a forest with tall trees of deep emerald and a cold, sharp wind. It had stopped raining, but not for too long. Her clothes were still damp on cool skin.

Light crept across the forest floor and shone through the treetops, glittering in between the overhead canopy of leaves like diamonds in a bed of emerald velvet. The thought felt fanciful, unlike her… Had she bled out? This sense of nothingness must be the touch of death...

It was the rough gleam of something rippling gently in the distance that distracted her. A little lake lay perhaps ten feet away, glancing up at her with a pretty, beckoning glitter. Like an old key fitted in a rusty lock, the world jolted into place. Bright brown eyes widened. The sharp winds faded into insignificance. She’d escaped.

Lea’s lips curved into a shaky smile.

Something occurred to her then. The wolves … they didn’t get me.

Her breath caught. Memories rushed back with shocking suddenness. She remembered now why she was afraid and hastily attempted to rise, only to wince at the stab of pain that hit her stomach. She fell back down with a thud. Her back pressed hard against tree bark, and the dark stain colouring the side of her tunic turned ominously darker. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest. It was so cold. Soundlessly, Lea let the tears fall.

As though they had been a signal eagerly awaited by the forest, a great shivering breath of air raced through the woods. Winds cut cruelly at the small figure curled up at the base of her large, gnarled tree. The tree’s dense, green canopy provided scant cover from the harsh winds, caressing Lea’s bruised skin with fingers as sharp as daggers, chilling her to a remarkable sensation beyond numbness. Her tears dried on her cheeks. She began to tremble.

A howl cut through the silence. The sound was high and lingering, ominously beautiful as it travelled straight through the air to Lea’s position. Hastily, she grasped the crudely fashioned dagger that she’d let fall to the ground just by her, then stilled. Her eyes narrowed on the foliage before her. In her mind’s eye, she could imagine the glint of intelligent, feral eyes gleaming under the gloom of the pale sunlight; shadowed soft grey fur and snapping jaws; a growling wolf pack nipping at her heels as her dagger swung desperately –

Damn it, Lea whispered, and tensed. Her eyes darted back and forth. How much time had passed since she’d fallen? The brightening sunlight took on the aspect of a sly trick played by the fates. Oh, to die where none would know –

Snap.

Every muscle in Lea’s body locked in place. A moment passed, then two.

Snap!

Her world narrowed in on that small, crackling sound of a twig crunched underfoot. For a strange moment, it felt like the forest stilled with her. Lea dragged in a small, unsteady breath – no wolf was that careless.

Her eyes locked on the thick foliage encircling the right side of the lake. A tall silhouette came into sight for a split second, before melding seamlessly into shadowed forest ground. She stifled a cry of fear and tried to get up.

But when she braced her left hand against the firm ground, Lea’s wrist buckled beneath her weight. A small gasp escaped, and she fell down yet again, hitting hard against mouldering tree bark. Her fingers clenched to a tangled tuft of squat green grass by her hip. She mangled the grainy turf badly, biting pain escaping her in short, hissing breaths as her vision darkened. The wine-coloured stain at Lea’s side deepened and spread, just a little. She cradled her aching hand. Tears filled her eyes as she clutched her dagger once more and simply – waited.

Heavy footsteps broke through the air.

Quickly, Lea leaned back against her tree. Her lids fell gently to veil her eyes while her dagger was thrust neatly behind her back. She was just in time.

The footsteps treading towards her quickened in pace; she’d been seen.

It was difficult to keep still. The urge to run was so strong. But that was a fool’s allure. It was too late to run. She must keep still. She must keep still. Lea’s fingers tightened painfully around her dagger’s hilt.

The heavy footsteps turned louder, closing in on her. Abruptly, they stopped – right in front of her. Lea’s stomach dipped unpleasantly. Come just a bit closer.

But the person didn’t move. Or speak. The silence stretched until Lea’s nerves felt tautened beyond bearing. Why were they keeping so still? So quiet?

The wind whispered through the trees; she lifted her lids, just a little – it was enough to make out the hem of a dark blue robe. The garment had the dull shine of expensive material, either silk or satin, and was embroidered in what appeared to be pure silver. Beneath the heavy robe, Lea caught a glimpse of dark shoes, polished till they shone. Her senses sharpened: nobleman. Probably a lesser noble; a higher-ranking one would wear nothing less than gold embroidered robes, even if it meant risking confinement in a debtor’s prison to finance the expensive cloth.

This man must have a party of armed guards nearby – no doubt instructed to keep their distance while their foolish master entertained a whim for walking meandering forest paths.

Lea’s lips twisted briefly in scorn. She stayed very still, and readied herself to attack.

The noble crouched down before her.

Lea swung her hand in an arc. She intended to hold her dagger at the stranger’s neck, keep him hostage for long enough to escape his guards, but her movement was followed abruptly by a yelp of pain – her yelp of pain. Firm fingers gripped her wrist, twisting it at an unnatural angle. Lea stubbornly kept hold of her dagger, trying to yank free.

Drop it, a low voice said, very softly. Now.

She bit her lip, felt the man’s grip tighten unforgivingly. Her lips parted on a protesting gasp.

Drop it, he repeated, louder this time. Or I’ll break your wrist. His grasp tightened.

A small, uncontainable sound disgracefully akin to fear escaped her, but Lea refused to relinquish the weapon. He wouldn’t be able to keep his grip on her for long.

I won’t ask you again, the stranger said, very quietly.

Lea took in a sharp breath, felt the pressure on her wrist increase alarmingly. She dropped the dagger to the forest floor without a sound.

But the stranger didn’t release her yet. He merely tightened his hold, his clasp hardening until Lea was afraid he would really break her wrist.

No, wait, she got out in alarm, and suddenly guessed what he was waiting for. I wasn’t really going to kill you, she hissed. "I… I apologise – I was merely – defending myself from – My lord, please!"

At her sudden, pained protest, the man’s fingers mercifully eased their pressure. Not from me, I hope, he said quietly. It was, after all, you who struck first. No, don’t turn away. I prefer to look my assailants in the eye.

She looked up resentfully, met dark eyes in an angular face.

The young noble’s dark gaze fixed expressionlessly on her. Are you alone?

Yes. She found herself inexorably drawn to that face. At first glance, he was neither handsome nor ugly, could be forgotten easily in a crowd. Should be forgotten, Lea thought absently. But for some reason she knew she would never forget this face.

Are you certain you are here by yourself?

Yes, she repeated, and risked a small tug of her wrist. His hold hardened very slightly. She bit her lip. Kindly let go, my lord.

I – don’t think so. Cool, dark eyes didn’t lend much expression to his angular features. His build was slim and reasonably tall, perhaps five inches taller than Lea’s own five foot six frame, and it wasn’t hard for Lea to spot hints of aristocratic lineage in the stranger’s clean features. Peasants didn’t own such smooth skin, or that trace of angular bone structure. She guessed that he was not much older than her own eighteen years; like most nobles though, he was already well-schooled in impassivity, lending a deceptively aging detachment to his mien.

And he possessed an easy strength that suggested familiarity with combat, Lea realised with unease – not just in the way he’d trapped her wrist so ruthlessly, but also in the smooth, still way the noble held himself crouched in front of her, watching her quietly as she watched him, his features set in stone.

As Lea committed the noble’s face to memory, she was gripped by that sense of unease once more. I told you, my lord, I am alone, she insisted when he continued to look at her so quietly. I am by myself in these woods…

He pursed his lips very slightly. Perhaps you have friends? the noble suggested suddenly. Hiding behind the bushes, waiting to ambush me… His eyes sharpened. Yes?

Well, an ambush was very possible, Lea thought, but not by her friends. I am alone, she said again. Please believe me. I have no reason to lie to you.

You had no reason to attack me, he remarked. And yet you did.

That’s different. I was defending myself from a stranger. Her eyes dwelled on the dark blue robe that hung straight and elegant on the noble’s slim body, hem and collar accented in black and silver. He was lucky he’d caught her strike; it would have been a shame to stain that fine collar a dull crimson.

Do strangers make such attractive targets then, the noble said softly, for assault in a forest?

You might have intended me harm.

But I didn’t harm you.

You might have, Lea insisted. He still could. Absently, she glanced down at the fingers wrapped around her. A thin bracelet of emeralds and rubies encircled the man’s wrist. Lea stared at the glittering trinket blankly; at the back of her mind, she was trying to comprehend who the young nobleman could be, how he had disarmed her so easily. And how he would pay for that insult.

When she glanced up again, Lea had the oddest impression that the young noble was considering something very similar. Her expression turned mutinous.

You can let go now, she said from between her teeth.

Can I? he said softly. "More to the point, must I?"

Crouched before her as he was, the noble blocked out what there was of the morning light, so she couldn’t quite read his expression, but something in his shadowed aspect made Lea draw back abruptly. She’d misjudged this man. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. This wasn’t a spoilt, soft noble lord. No, he was something different. Something – dangerous.

She glanced down at where she’d dropped her dagger. It was gone.

Who are you? Lea said at last. Her voice came out a raspy clue to her exhaustion, but she hoped it would add also to his perception that she was the boy she appeared to be. Is your home nearby?

The noble remained silent, observed her quietly.

Who are you? she tried again, slowly this time, but she was becoming certain the young man was indeed from Makliaven, probably from a smaller, lesser known protectorate; that would explain his peculiar accent. How came you to this place?

The young nobleman’s expression stayed annoyingly impassive on hers. Options ran through Lea’s mind, were quickly discarded. His guards would catch up with their master soon enough. If he decided to hand her to them for sport before returning her to her enemies …

Lea’s muscles tensed. She was in no condition to defend herself from a pack of Makliaven guards.

Get on with it then, she said, keeping her eyes steadily on his. You will find me a difficult prisoner. It is better that you kill me now. She paused, then added as an afterthought, I will find a way to kill you later if you do not.

There was a brief flicker of something in the stranger’s eyes. Perhaps amusement, perhaps anger – Lea wasn’t quite sure which.

A pre-meditative strike, he remarked at last.

She shrugged. Better me than you.

Can we both not survive this unexpected meeting?

Kill me or be killed, my lord. Those are your choices.

There is no need for such death dealing as yet, was his quiet reply. What is your name?

"Tell me your name, sir, and I shall tell you mine. Better yet, and a smile trembled on Lea’s lips, sink my dagger into my chest. I welcome it."

You are badly injured for such a bloodthirsty little thing, the young noble remarked absently, as though he found this fact intriguing, or unusual. Elegant fingers came up to touch her bruised jaw. And far too dramatic. You will need a healer’s help, my dear.

It wasn’t the words that made Lea instinctively draw her face away, watch with large eyes as that elegant, pale hand fell to the noble’s side; it was the way he’d said them. As though he knew quite well she wasn’t a boy.

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Chapter 2

He knew she wasn’t a boy.

She shouldn’t have been surprised, Lea thought absently. Too much had happened for her to resemble still the young boy who’d entered Makliaven a mere week ago. Almost as though her body had suddenly caught up with her shaken thoughts, Lea’s heart began to race. Everything inside her turned ice cold. Oh, why had she not thought…

If you touch me again, Lea said very distinctly, "I will kill you. My lord."

Bloodthirsty, dramatic and – quite insolent, he murmured, raising an eloquent brow. Might I point out that you are incapable of killing a flea in your current state?

It had been amusement that had flashed through his eyes earlier, Lea realised. Mocking amusement. He didn’t see her as a threat.

And why should he?

She struggled to contain sudden fear. He hadn’t even asked her, Lea thought suddenly, what she was doing in the forest.

Maybe the noble spotted the fear flitting across her face, because his smile died suddenly. I’m not going to take advantage of you, little murderess, he remarked. But you need a healer.

My dagger will suffice, was all Lea could think to say, and added somewhat contradictorily, I’m not a murderess.

I’m not returning your weapon to you, was his polite reply. So you can wipe that vicious smile off your face.

Lea blinked, and guiltily schooled her features into what she prayed was a more neutral expression; she hadn’t even realised she’d smiled in the first place. Now see here, my lord, perhaps it was premature of me to … What I mean is, I might have sounded –

Pugilistic.

– defensive, Lea said at the same time. But you can see that I’m hardly in any position to harm you considering –

I’m not returning your weapon to you. The words were said very gently, as though he was speaking to a recalcitrant child deprived of its favourite toy. No matter how many times you ask for it.

To Lea’s horror, her eyes filled with tears. She looked away, blinking hard, and fought back the urge to plead for his mercy. She needed her dagger’s cool, lethal touch against her skin so desperately. Her fingers clenched, drawing her attention to the lean hand encircling her wrist like a manacle. She’d forgotten he still held her, albeit not so securely as before.

Abruptly, the noble’s fingers fell away from hers. I will not harm you, he said. I have no reason to.

Lea drew her hand onto her lap, rubbing the molested little member gingerly. She didn’t dare check for the marks of the noble’s fingers on them; the sight might cause her to lose what little caution she still possessed. He would pay for that, she promised herself.

I did not mean to frighten you, her newest captor mused. His hands fell lightly to his lap. You have nothing to fear from me.

Her jaw locked. She jerked her head up. You didn’t frighten me.

I’m sure I didn’t, he agreed, but the thread of amusement in his voice told her he knew differently. Come now, do not stare at me with such wide, wild eyes. You look halfway between a wounded fawn and a hissing wildcat. He lifted his hands out to her, palms up, and spread his fingers. See? I have nothing with which to hurt you.

His tone had turned oddly gentle, and Lea could almost believe he felt sorry for her. Something inside her threatened to soften. The sensation was terrifying. Her eyes narrowed on his.

The sharp, cold forest wind stabbed at Lea through her torn clothing. Miserably, she hunched her shoulders, looking away from the noble as she rubbed her palms together for warmth before tucking her hands beneath her arms, shivering gently.

How long have you been lying here like this? the noble wondered.

A puzzled frown came to Lea’s eyes. Hope rose inside her. He didn’t know who she was. He wasn’t one of those sent to find her… She could use him.

A grim smile flitted across Lea’s lips, come and gone very quickly. She turned her face up to the noble’s once more. Tell me your name, my lord. A coaxing smile softened the order. I am certain I have seen you somewhere before.

The noble tilted his head to the side. His expression had turned to stone again.

Lea hesitated. My name is Hannah, she offered finally.

Hannah, he repeated, very softly, as though trying out the name.

And you, my lord? May I know your name?

No.

She closed her eyes. Her head was aching more than ever. She should never have entered the borders of this forbidden forest. The stranger could be anyone, could be a Makliaven inquisitor engaged in some charade to elicit information from her. And even if not...

If you would just be – so kind as to direct me to a trader’s road? Lea ventured finally. She hated the way her voice shook, and kept her eyes tightly closed, not wanting him to see her weariness reflected in them. I don’t have anything to offer you in return, my lord – my master’s yield was low this season, and all that I was delivering for him was taken from me. But he will pay you for my return.

I – see.

Scepticism, curiosity or disdain? Lea honestly couldn’t say, but the odds were in favour of disdain; nobles were not ordinarily in the habit of addressing peasants for this long at a stretch. I assure you, my lord, my master will compensate you for your trouble. She sagged back against her tree, hoping that she looked as pathetic as she felt. I – I was returning from… after making a delivery at a border trading post. We would have been home in hours. But then – the bandits… A brief pause ensued. She murmured, The profit is lost now.

Was it a large profit that you lost?

She looked up again, wondering at the casual curiosity of that question. Large enough, Lea said at last, and searched his eyes. Did he imagine she was holding the missing earnings on her person? She shifted uneasily. Some Makliaven nobles possessed shockingly bare coffers as of late. This young noble – or his family – might well be seeking to replenish their wealth. Her heart seemed to stop.

Quickly, Lea added, All of our goods and coin were taken from me. Her shoulders shrugged in defeat. Even my coat was taken from me. The annoyed note in her voice wasn’t a lie. It was fur-lined, she couldn’t help grumbling. Would have lasted me many winters of travel. The bandits were too efficient to let anything of value slip through their fingers.

Except you, the noble remarked.

A quiet pause fell between them. Lea wisely ignored the sudden dip of fear in her stomach. She cleared her throat. I must get back home to inform my master of his loss. She focused on the earthy forest floor, covered in delicate mounds of brittle twigs and dried fallen leaves. This was my first assignment. My master will be furious with me for losing his wares. I can only hope he will not see fit to demand my month’s wages in return for what I have lost him.

Surely that would be excessive.

Not at all, my lord. She frowned down at the ground. He needn’t sound so reproving. Or so ignorant. It was a common, reasonable practice for Lorien farm-owners to exact compensation when goods were lost by the careless handing of their employees. At least they didn’t forfeit a peasant’s entire living, bonding him to places far less comfortable than a farm until his debt was paid as was the custom with Makliaven’s landowners. I must get back, Lea muttered half to herself.

You will not be able to travel for some days. The noble’s voice was nearer