Deception & Betrayal

By M.M. Brownlow

Many things are not what they seem.

In the land of Obyra, kingdoms fight for power and supremacy. Friend turns on friend, and lovers are not to be trusted.

In this collection of stories, delve into deep, dark secrets that the characters hold dear. What makes one betray his kingdom when another gives his life to save it? When is it okay to hide the truth? Is it ever truly safe to follow your dreams?

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.M. Brownlow
• Release date: Dec 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310951602

M.M. Brownlow

M.M. Brownlow works as an elementary teacher and lives with her husband and three sons in Ontario, Canada. She's also surrounded by a variety of "critters" - a dog, two cats, two guinea pigs, a hamster, a pair of frogs, and a leopard gecko. Life is never boring, and she finds herself often wishing for more hours in a day.

Book preview

Deception & Betrayal: Once Upon a Song, Volume 1

M.M. Brownlow

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 M.M. Brownlow

Discover other titles by M.M. Brownlow at Smashwords.com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Author’s Note

There have been many times when I’ve been driving to work or around town on errands, and a song comes on the radio – a song that grabs onto me and says ‘now this will make a great story!’

This collection of stories is inspired by those songs, with credit given to the artist who sings it. Sometimes it’s the lyrics, and sometimes it’s just the title, but the songs have driven the words that help to fill in some of the gaps in my world.

Enjoy!

Table of Contents

Dark Side – inspired by Kelly Clarkson

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

My Sacrifice – inspired by Creed

Set Fire to the Rain – inspired by Adele

Counting Stars – inspired by One Republic

Close your Eyes – inspired by Bastille

About the Author

Dark Side

Inspired by Kelly Clarkson

Jayce takes his responsibilities to kingdom and crown very seriously. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for his behaviour when it comes to relationships. When he meets someone who might be able to change all that, someone he wants to get to know better, is there a future for them? Can she love all of Jayce? Can he truly love her?

*Note: This story takes place during The Pursuit of Fortune*

Chapter 1

The fat man fell to his knees on the hard floor of his bedroom, arms held up in front of him. Please, he begged, don’t kill me.

A scowl twisted Jayce’s handsome features, his blue eyes narrowed with disdain as he pointed his sword at the man’s chest. He hated it when they begged.

It didn’t have to come to this, Jayce told the man kneeling before him. If you’d kept your crimes to just skimming from the taxes, there wouldn’t be a contract.

I’ll pay it all back, the man promised. He ran a hand nervously through his well-groomed, thinning grey hair and then placed his hands in his lap, his movements slow so as not to provoke the armed man standing in front of him. Tell your father that I’ll pay it all back.

Jayce shook his head. My father isn’t interested in your promises. When you increased the taxes of your people without consent from the crown, you danced along a very thin line. When your actions pushed your citizens into poverty, you crossed it. How could you possibly pay back the lost meals, the sickness and the death your actions have caused?

I didn’t know, the man protested. How could I possibly—

Enough! Jayce commanded, his voice thick with anger. It’s your job to know!

He took a deep breath and then continued in a more moderate tone of voice. Regardless, it’s out of my hands now. A contract was issued and accepted.

The kneeling man bowed his head. Make it a quick death then, I beg you.

Jayce was sorely tempted to ignore the man’s request, the desire to prolong his death in retribution for the pain and suffering he’d caused very strong. But torture wasn’t Jayce’s way, and with a quick movement, he slid his sword into the man’s chest. The man’s gasp of pain turned into his final exhalation as the former mayor of this small mining town died on his knees, his blood running into the thick pile of the nearby carpet.

Reaching into a pocket, Jayce withdrew a small coin marked with a crown. It was the symbol of the Gilded Crowns, the Evendellian assassin’s guild, and he tossed it onto the body to mark the contract as completed. Then Jayce tossed a pouch of coins down too, the payment he’d received for the contract. He’d learned during his surveillance that the mistreated citizens of this town had pooled their meager resources to rid themselves of their corrupt mayor, and the people of this town needed their money far more than he did.

Heading back to the bedroom window, the assassin looked out into the night. His eesprid, his magical companion, was hidden out there in the darkness somewhere, and Jayce waited for the raven to signal the all-clear. Jayce had managed to avoid the mayor’s servants and guards on the way in — not that they’d have been all that likely to stop him — and he saw no reason to draw attention to himself now. Besides, anybody who saw him dressed in the tight black and grey assassin’s outfit would need to be eliminated, and Jayce took pride in the fact that he could keep his profession a secret without unnecessary loss of life.

When he heard Jordi’s caw, he slipped out of the window and climbed quickly back to the ground. The mayor’s house was situated a short distance from the rest of the village, and so Jayce took a few moments to get his bearings and to plan his escape. With luck he’d be passing through Stonehurst by midmorning and then be back in Hearthridge, the capital city, the next day.

Alerted by the rustle of feathers in the darkness, Jayce held up his arm so that Jordi could land. As a magical creature, the raven’s eyesight was significantly better than a natural bird’s, but it was still night and not Jordi’s preferred time of day. As soon as he closed his feet carefully around his partner’s arm, the raven hopped up to Jayce’s shoulder and tucked his head under a wing.

Absently stroking the inky dark feathers of his eesprid, Jayce started the quiet trek out of the village and into the mountainous wilderness that characterized most of the kingdom of Evendell. Rich in minerals, gold and gems, the small kingdom had a very scattered population, and the assassin knew he likely wouldn’t encounter anybody along the track that would serve as his road until he came considerably closer to Stonehurst. Most of the time the idea of solitary travel didn’t bother Jayce much, but for some reason the silence and isolation seemed ominous tonight. His thoughts were troubled, and not just by the events that had led to the assassination.

Seems like we’re the only ones alone tonight, doesn’t it? Jayce muttered quietly, craving the sound of a voice but not willing to entirely shatter the quiet.

He walked past the last of the houses, crossing the village line as he imagined the family tucked away safely behind the closed door. After travelling some distance in the dark, Jayce located his horse hidden in a copse of trees, the animal whickering in recognition of his master’s scent. Patting the stallion fondly on the neck, Jayce untied the reins and pulled himself into the saddle, careful not to dislodge the raven on his shoulder. With a click of his tongue, the assassin got the big brown beast moving, horse, raven and man blending into the darkness like they were pieces of shadows returning home.

Chapter 2

The sunlight streaming in through the window landed across Karina’s face and brought her gently awake. Stretching her arms above her head, she revelled in the silence of her modest home. Under normal circumstances, her maidservant would have woken her hours ago to begin her day, and it had been years since she’d been able to sleep as long as she wanted. But today was a special day and Karina was refreshingly alone.

Throwing back the covers, she slid out of bed and walked across the bedroom to where a basin of water waited. Completing her morning ritual quickly, Karina stepped into her riding dress, coifed her long dark hair and put the last of her belongings into the waiting saddlebags. It was time to leave, her assignment clear and waiting. She’d worn out her welcome here anyway, that fact made clear as she stepped around the broken glass on the floor.

Stepping outside into the beautiful sunny day, Karina walked across the small courtyard to the stable to retrieve her pretty white palfrey. The stable boy, the only servant currently here, sprang to his feet when she entered the dim building and ran over to take her bags.

Good morning, Mistress, the young boy greeted her with a quick bob. Your horse will be saddled in just a few moments.

Thank you William. Have you found other employment?

Yes, Mistress. Thank you for your recommendation. The boy turned away from her and carried her saddle over to the stall. The horse stuck her head over the half-door and whickered softly. I’m sure there isn’t anybody as wonderful to work for as you though, Mistress.

Karina smiled. You’re sweet, William. Thank you again for taking such good care of my horse while you’ve been with me.

Tightening the girth on the saddle, William sighed. Are you sure you can’t stay?

I’m sorry, but I can’t. Summer is beginning and it’s time for me to head to court for the season.

But you’ll be back in the fall, right? William led the horse from the stall and affixed the full saddlebags. When the season’s over?

Maybe.

Karina was reasonably certain that she wouldn’t be returning to this small border city any time soon, but she wasn’t about to discuss her profession with her hired help. She wasn’t particularly happy that she needed to relocate at this point in time, but the situation here had become untenable anyway. The timing wasn’t ideal, but she was good enough at her job to work with it.

Stepping up onto the saddle block, Karina mounted the palfrey and settled her skirts properly. Good bye, William.

Safe journey, Mistress.

Karina flicked her reins and the horse stepped smartly out of the stable and then out into the street. It was mid-morning and busy, and the palfrey tried to shy away from the crowd, but Karina tightened the reins to bring the horse under control once more. With a sigh, she settled herself for a long, slow walk through the city knowing that she’d likely be battling the horse’s discomfort the entire way to the gates.

There she is!

Karina cringed, hoping the call wasn’t about her but knowing in her heart that it was. She loosened her grip on the reins to allow the horse to move a little faster, but there wasn’t anywhere to go. Surrounded by people on foot, other riders, and even a couple of wagons, Karina looked around desperately for some route of escape.

The first rock whizzed past her head, making her gasp in shock and then growl in anger. How dare they throw rocks at her! It wasn’t her fault that others had made poor choices, and it certainly wasn’t her fault that they were indiscrete when they did it. Why should she have to deal with the aftermath?

Karina looked around for her attacker, spotting the pair of women to the left, each with another rock in her hand. She recognized one as the woman who’d broken her window yesterday, and as another rock came flying toward her, Karina cursed and kicked the palfrey. The horse jumped forward and the rock meant for Karina hit the animal in the rump, making it whiney and kick. Anybody near her dove out of the way as the horse went wild, and Karina could do nothing but hold on and hope for the best.

Whoa there!

Karina’s attention focused on the large brown horse coming toward her, the rider leaning forward to grab the white palfrey’s bridle. Slipping from his saddle, the man dragged the horse’s head down and as soon as she lost sight of where she was going, the white horse stopped, sides heaving with fading panic.

Palfreys are pretty, but terribly high-strung, the man said with a grin, his blue eyes sparkling. Do you have any idea what set her off?

Karina shook her head, the lie coming easily.

Well that’s unimportant. Are you okay, my Lady?

Yes, thanks to you, she admitted breathlessly. I didn’t know she could do that!

What, kick? All horses can do that, especially if they’re scared.

He gathered the reins and passed them up to her, and Karina smiled gratefully. She looked at her saviour, taking in the wavy brown hair, and the lean, athletic build. Thank you again for saving me, my Lord. She felt ascribing the title to him was appropriate given the slightly above average cut of his clothing. He may just be a prosperous merchant or something like that, but she’d never met a man who didn’t like his ego stroked a little.

My pleasure. You’ll be okay to continue on your own now?

Part of her wanted to say no to try and entice the handsome man to spend some more time with her, her training kicking in, but the rocks had only made it even more apparent that she was in danger here. She didn’t dare risk it.

I’ll be fine.

With a nod and smile, the man stepped away from her and took up the reins of his own mount. Karina got her horse to start moving once more, and she glanced back over her shoulder to see the man walking into the courtyard of a nearby inn. With a sigh of regret for opportunities missed, Karina concentrated on weaving through the possibly hostile crowd, leaving Stonehurst behind.

Chapter 3

The setting sun splashed ribbons of colour across the high stone walls ahead as Jayce approached the gate that stood between him and his home. After staying longer at the inn than he’d intended, his long night of travel after leaving the mining village catching up to him in an unexpected way, he was finishing his journey later than hoped. Fortunately it wasn’t dark yet, and if he hurried, he should still be in time for dinner.

Jayce sent Jordi on ahead, the raven flying over the wall and winging toward his nest. Out in the majority of the kingdom, people associated the eesprid with mages, a mistake that he didn’t correct. Here in Hearthridge, the location of both the assassin Academy and one of the five mage Schools, the difference between the small mage eesprid and the larger assassin eesprid was evident and noted. Jayce had spent his entire life hiding what he was, as many of the people his family dealt with were uneasy with assassins as a matter of course, and that caution was second nature to him now. In his experience, people saw what they expected to see, and here in Hearthridge, he was defined by his bloodline.

Welcome home, your Highness. The guards at the gate bowed in deference, and Jayce nodded his acknowledgement of the greeting but said nothing.

Evendell’s capital city was laid out in levels, the lowest level at the walls and the palace rising above everything. Once through the gates, Jayce’s horse picked up his pace. The stallion recognized his home and was as eager to be here as his master was, and it didn’t take long to weave through the city streets. The guards at the palace gates bowed to their prince and waved him through, and Jayce sighed happily as he slid from the saddle and passed his reins to a waiting groom.

The palace complex was shaped like an H, the home of the royal family forming the crosspiece with the Academy to Jayce’s left and the School to his right. The courtyard bordered by the three buildings was bustling despite the rapid approach of the dinner hour, and as he slung his saddlebags over his shoulder, the prince turned toward the Academy. He’d check in and report his contract complete before heading into the palace to wash up and have dinner with his parents. With so many people rushing about, his direct route to the Academy wasn’t likely to be noticed.

Walking up the stairs toward the guild master’s rooms to make his report, Jayce caught sight of a familiar black and grey shape, and he smiled. There was only one assassin currently in residence that had a wolf for an eesprid, and Jayce quietly laid his bags on the stairs, drew his knife and crept silently upward.

Rounding the corner at the landing, he saw his quarry not too far ahead. The wolf was ranging farther down the hall and likely wouldn’t scent him or hear him if he was quick and careful, and so Jayce lengthened his stride a little and followed. When he was close enough, he lunged forward with the intention of grabbing his victim by the shoulder and bringing his knife to bear, but the assassin surprised him by throwing up an arm to block his reaching hand.

"What is wrong with you?" the young woman snarled, spinning to face him.

I’m just helping you stay on top of your game, Jayce replied with a mischievous grin. Consider it an act of brotherly kindness, baby sister.

Whatever. She obviously didn’t believe him, her brown eyes narrowed and her left hand near the knife on her belt. You don’t do anything out of kindness, Jayce.

Stepping closer, he draped an arm over her shoulder, purposely putting her dominant arm between their bodies while leaving his own free. Now Aislynn, that just isn’t true and you know it, he argued. I’ve done plenty of kind things.

Name one, Aislynn demanded, pushing herself away from him and freeing her arm.

I didn’t kill you when you were a baby.

Aislynn rolled her eyes. I don’t have time for this, she muttered. I have a contract to pick up.

And I have one to complete, so I’ll walk with you.

Jayce fell in beside his youngest sister and an awkward silence descended between them. In Evendell there were two types of assassin: those who joined the profession and those who were born into it. The kingdom shared a magical pact with their northern neighbour, Bacovia, and the result of that magic was a pair of children born each generation who had a specific birth mark and a magical eesprid companion. Those children trained as assassins with the intention of one of them becoming a bodyguard for Bacovia’s monarch, and both Jayce and Aislynn were that second type of assassin. This put them into direct competition with each other despite the five year age difference, and they’d never really been close.

Reaching the guild master’s chambers, Aislynn knocked. The door was opened almost immediately by the master’s secretary, currently a woman recovering from an injury sustained while out on a contract.

Ah, Aislynn, it’s you. Come in and I’ll give you the paperwork. Jayce, you can have a seat and I’ll be with you in a few moments.

Most of the assassins here were of common birth, but when royal or noble children entered the Academy, they were treated no differently from any of the others. In fact, the majority of the assassins in the rank and file of the guild weren’t aware of the members of royal or noble birth training and working among them, and both Jayce and Aislynn went to great pains to separate the two aspects of their lives now that they were older and more easily recognizable to the general populace of their kingdom. Their eesprid were kept out of the public view as much as possible, all members of the royal family undertook weapons training with the assassins, and beyond that, the profession simply wasn’t acknowledged. It was less of a secret in certain circles within the palace grounds, but as long as it wasn't public knowledge, the