Risk & Reward

By M.M. Brownlow

If something is too easy to get, it's not worth having...

Getting your heart's desire can mean risking everything, but for many, the reward is worth it. What each person wants most in the world varies, as does the price they're willing to pay. What would you pay to ensure your people thrive? To finally be seen as your own person? To have all of the riches you feel you deserve?

Return to Obyra and revisit some of the land's most intriguing characters in this collection of stories. How did Byron attain his rank at such a young age? What lengths did Branden go to in order to create the kingdom of Bacovia so long ago? How did Genevieve and Jonah create the pact that still joins Evendell and Bacovia centuries later?

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.M. Brownlow
• Release date: Jul 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311737946

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

Risk & Reward: Once Upon a Song, Volume 2

M.M. Brownlow

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2016 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

King of Roses, Queen of Knives – inspired by Seal

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

Renegades – inspired by X Ambassadors

Demons – inspired by Imagine Dragons

Necessary Evil – inspired by Nikki Yanofsky

Hero – inspired by Bonnie Tyler

Playing with Magic – inspired by Katy Perry

About the Author

King of Rose, Queen of Knives

Inspired by Seal

Ferris is king of a dying realm. Everywhere he looks there is blight and sickness, and war plagues his borders. His people whisper that there is a cure for these dark times, and all Ferris must do is make good on his vow to do whatever it takes to keep his land healthy. Alyah, newly employed as one of his Majesty’s spies, is tasked with finding the traitor in Ferris’ court, but what she uncovers is a plot far more deadly than simple betrayal. Can Ferris save his kingdom without making the ultimate sacrifice?

*Note: This story overlaps the timeline of Sacrifices*

Chapter 1

Carefully, she slipped over the final wall and dropped lightly into one of the palace courtyards, ducking behind a large sculpture. Glancing around, she made sure that there weren’t any guards nearby, and then she dashed across the open area and slid underneath a stand of bushes. Taking a deep breath, she blew it out slowly to calm her wildly beating heart.

Ever since she’d fled her childhood home in disgrace - a failure who couldn’t face her parents - Alyah had done what she needed to in order to survive. On the streets, it was succeed or die, and that sort of pressure was just what she required. But Alyah had never, in the decade she’d been on her own, tried something as risky as this.

Another deep breath and she pulled what little power she had around her. The small medallion she wore in the hollow of her throat warmed, and Alyah felt her body get lighter. A few moments later, and she was at the window and stepping inside, letting her spell go with a gasp. She felt momentarily light-headed, the result of exercising her much under-used mage gift, and she stumbled shakily toward the bureau and the jewelry box sitting on it. One noble lady’s necklace and Alyah wouldn’t have to steal for a month…at least.

Reaching for the gleaming wooden box, she brushed against a vase full of roses, knocking it askew. With a curse, Alyah grabbed the vase before it could fall and then lifted the lid of the box to see the treasures inside. And oh, what treasures! Glittering gems - rubies, emeralds and diamonds - were clasped gently in gold, silver and platinum settings, and there were so many to choose from. Rings, bracelets and necklaces were arrayed for her, and Alyah didn’t hesitate. Small things were easier to hide and easier to sell, and she picked two rings and a bracelet. Lifting her skirts, she slipped her booty into a small pouch tied high on her thigh and turned back to the window, ready to make her escape.

The sound of booted feet on the stones of the courtyard below brought Alyah to a stop before she could reveal herself. Peeking around the edge of the window frame, she saw a pair of guards standing below and obviously in no hurry to leave. Muttering obscenities under her breath, she turned for the door and quickly started to rethink her escape route. She’d dressed for this contingency, and with a shake of her royal blue skirts, Alyah settled her dress properly and squared her shoulders. Grasping the handle of the door, she pulled it open...and walked right into a pair of waiting guards.

~ § ~ § ~ § ~

Ferris entered the central garden of the palace, anxious about his daily meeting for the first time. In the years he’d been sitting on Calyso’s throne, this particular morning ritual had been easy and simple, but today he was on edge. There was something seriously awry in his kingdom and he didn’t know what was causing it. He hoped that Emmitt could shed some light on the situation.

Glancing up as he always did, the king stared in awe at the giant rose bush that dominated this particular garden, the bush for which his kingdom was named. It had glossy green leaves and was covered with a myriad of buds and blooms, the roses ranging from palest pink to deepest red. There was something majestic about the ancient plant, and Ferris bowed to her, as he did each morning, despite how silly an outsider would consider the gesture.

She likes it when you do that, you know.

Ferris turned around, a smile already breaking across his face and lightening his mood. Emmitt stood not far away, dusting off his dirty hands on his equally dirty trousers.

Makes her feel special to have the king bow to her, the gardener continued, pulling a pair of shears from his belt as he came closer. Carefully, the old man snipped a dying branch from the rose bush.

Well I aim to please, the king stated, his blue eyes glittering. It’s a small enough gesture and certainly not one I mind in the least.

Whether or not the rose bush was actually aware had been a subject of much debate over the years, and a discussion Ferris and his head gardener had continued many times themselves. Today was not a day for that particular conversation, however.

Finishing with his ministrations, Emmitt turned back to the king. You’re unhappy today, your Majesty. Is there anything I can do to help?

Do you have any idea why my kingdom is dying?

Emmitt shook his head, concern and sadness pulling at the corners of his rich brown eyes. He started to pick at the dirt under his fingernails, not meeting Ferris’ gaze. Sadly, your Majesty, I have no answers for you. The drought this spring made things hard enough, but the blight on the crops...

I know, the king said, shaking his head. If what few crops we have left are blighted, many will go hungry this winter. Many will die.

Is there enough money—

Emmitt stopped speaking suddenly, tilting his head as if listening to something. When he straightened again a few moments later, he met his king’s gaze with eyes wide with shock.

There’s someone in Lady Nalla’s room, the gardener revealed.

What? How did anybody get into the castle without you knowing about it?

I have no idea, your Majesty, but I’d very much like to know the answer to that question.

Ferris turned away from the gardener and took a few steps back toward the entrance to the garden. He’d left a pair of guards there, and he directed one of them to gather a few of his fellows and go to Lady Nalla’s room to retrieve the intruder.

Don’t kill him, and bring him here to me, he commanded. The guard bowed and left quickly to follow the king’s orders, while Ferris returned to his gardener’s side.

When was the last time someone got past your spies? the king asked.

It’s been years, your Majesty. I make sure to have as many of my friends scattered through the palace and the grounds as possible. You know that.

Ferris nodded. I do know that, he acknowledged. I wonder what our uninvited guest was doing in Nalla’s room.

She’s a thief.

Who? Nalla?

No, your Majesty, our intruder, Emmitt explained. She’s taken some of Lady Nalla’s jewelry.

Ferris just shook his head, wondering at that audacity of the woman who would break into the palace to steal jewelry. Surely there were other targets in the city, easier targets. He did not question how Emmitt knew exactly what was happening, however. Now that he’d tuned into the disturbance, the gardener wouldn’t miss even the slightest detail. That was his gift.

A short while later, an attractive woman was escorted into the garden and presented to the king. The guards weren’t touching her or restraining her in any way and were, in fact, following a couple of steps behind. Ferris looked confused and Emmitt, amused.

The intruder dropped into a deep, perfect curtsey. You asked to see me your Majesty?

Her voice was warm and smooth, with a hint of an accent that Ferris couldn’t quite place. She had flawless, caramel coloured skin, and he wondered idly if it was as soft as it looked. He nearly took a step forward to see before catching himself, and the king scowled at the woman in front of him.

What were you doing in Lady Nalla’s room? he demanded, not inviting her to rise.

I was...visiting, she replied suggestively. Rising anyway, she looked up at him through her long lashes, brilliant green eyes flashing with the hint of wicked deeds.

Ferris’ jaw dropped and his eyes widened. Lady Nalla had never married, and there had been rumours...but still. She’s nearly sixty years old! he protested.

And the elderly don’t need love and affection? the woman replied without missing a beat. If Emmitt hadn’t already told him she was a thief, Ferris would likely have let her walk away. Her delivery was so smooth, the lies tumbling from her lips with the ease of long practice.

Did you search her? Ferris asked the guards, tearing his eyes away from the oddly captivating woman with effort.

Yes, your Majesty. We found this one blade. The guard passed him a weapon, hilt first. It was long and thin, much longer than a dagger, though still shorter than a short sword.

Is that all?

Yes, your Majesty.

Ferris turned to look at Emmitt, who seemed about to choke on his laughter. Rising an eyebrow in silent question, the king gestured for the gardener to do something. The old man stepped forward, leaning close enough to the young woman to get dirt on her blue gown.

I know you put the jewelry in the pouch tied around your thigh, he informed her, voice pitched low. Would you like to turn it over to his Majesty yourself, or shall I have the guards search you again?

Emmitt’s voice was calm and even, but the woman’s eyes widened. She heard the threat in his words and she shook her head. The guards won’t be necessary, she whispered.

Dropping to her knees, she hitched up one side of her dress without revealing so much as a flash of skin and she quickly untied the thong that held the pouch in place. Holding it up before her, she looked at the king in silent supplication.

Ferris snatched the purse from the woman’s waiting hands, an expression of anger darkening his handsome face. He gestured for the guards to take her, and the men grabbed her roughly by the upper arms and hauled the woman to her feet.

Take her to the dungeon, the king commanded, and his men were quick to obey.

I want her, Emmitt stated softly. He and the king watched the young woman walk away, head still held high despite her predicament. She has skills I can use.

What? She tried to steal from Lady Nalla.

I know. She also managed to get onto the grounds without disturbing my spies, get into the palace without alerting the guards, and she lied to you outright without any hesitation or tell. I need her. She’ll be a perfect addition.

The king wasn’t happy with the idea, and really didn’t like how the woman had managed to grab his attention the way she had. Surely, that couldn’t be natural, not when he was happily married, but the king had never once had a request from Emmitt.

Fine, Ferris agreed reluctantly. If you think she’d be that useful, you can have her. But I will hold you accountable for her actions, my friend.

Agreed.

With a happy smile on his face, the old man left the garden, his spry steps belying his age. The king smiled at his gardener’s antics, and with another bow to the ancient rose, he left the garden himself. Somewhere around here was the queen, and he had to pay her his daily visit. Her Majesty was irritable with the illness of early pregnancy, but with luck, this time she would successfully carry the child to term and finally produce the heir the kingdom was waiting for. Forcefully pushing thoughts of the lovely thief aside, Ferris went to meet his wife.

Chapter 2

She winced and made a show of rubbing her upper arms as the guards leered at her and locked the door to her cell. Alyah had been escorted to the dungeons with considerably more force than her trip to the garden, and likely more force than necessary. Still, she was undamaged, and that’s all that mattered.

Looking around, Alyah took stock of her situation. The dungeon cell was typical of these places - dank and chill, with water running imperceptibly down the three stone walls and dripping somewhere nearby with a steady and annoying constancy. She was far enough underground that there was no window to peer out of, and the guards had left only a single torch burning a short distance down the corridor. Alyah had a cot with a hard, straw-stuffed mattress, a stool and a bucket whose purpose she really didn’t want to think about.

Once she was certain the guards had left her alone to rot, Alyah stepped quickly up to the door to inspect the lock. With a satisfied grunt, she reached up to her elaborately coiffed hair and pulled out the jeweled pin that held it all in place. As her thick brown hair tumbled down her back, Alyah took the long, incredibly thin knife and slipped it into the keyhole.

My, oh my, you certainly are something, aren’t you?

Alyah froze and looked up to meet the gardener’s eyes. With a sigh, she straightened and withdrew her blade from the keyhole. She gripped the knife between her teeth while she gathered her hair and twisted it expertly back into place. Then she slipped the knife back into its hiding place, the hilt of the weapon looking only like a jeweled clip once more.

How do you do that without cutting yourself? the man asked with genuine curiosity. He’d leaned forward a little to watch the maneuver, but she’d performed her little trick too fast for him to really follow, she hoped. It wouldn’t do to reveal all of her secrets, now would it?

Carefully. Alyah moved away from the door and sat down gracefully on the edge of her hard bed. How may I help you, Sir?

The man laughed. I’m no Sir, and the question you should be asking is how can I help you?

Alyah raised one delicate eyebrow in disbelief. I saw the way you and the king acted together, she stated. There’s no way you’d let me out of here.

Who’s to say that I don’t have the king’s blessing?

The gardener moved away from the door himself, and took up a position leaning against the opposite wall. He looked her over, as if trying to figure out exactly what he was dealing with. How did you get onto the palace grounds? he asked after a few moments of silence.

I walked through the gate.

The gardener laughed again, before sobering a little when he realized that she was entirely serious. Really?

Yes, Alyah replied with a small, enigmatic smile. I just walked right through the gates like I belonged here and nobody questioned me.

What do you say to some honest employment?

Now it was Alyah’s turn to laugh. Doing what? This is all I know. She gestured to herself, hoping he understood that she meant the disguises and the thievery.

You’ve got skills that I can use, my dear, the man informed her. And you have a debt to his Majesty for the theft. You can come and work for me, for a fair wage, or you can stay here until the king decides what to do to you. Your choice.

Alyah grimaced. She hadn’t missed the old man’s choice of words. He’d said do to you instead of do with you.

It’s not much of choice, now is it? she asked caustically. Fine, but I want room and board, as well as a wage.

The gardener raised his eyebrows. Do you really think you’re in a position to bargain with me?

Of course I am. As long as I’m breathing, I’m in a position to bargain. Besides, you said I had skills you could use, and that makes me a valuable commodity.

He laughed again. I think I’m going to like you, my dear. What’s your name?

Alyah, she replied, rising from the bed and walking toward the door. "What do I do to start this honest employment?"

The man straightened, the key to the cell door appearing in his hand like magic. First, I’m going to see if you can be as convincing as a servant as you are a lady, he informed her.

A servant? As in scrubbing floors and emptying chamber pots? I don’t think so. Alyah moved