A Single Spark

  Contents

  A Single Spark

  Letter from Carys

  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

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Chapter 61

  Chapter 62

  Chapter 63

  Chapter 64

  Chapter 65

  About the Author

  A Single Spark

  Book 1

  The Rise of The Phoenix Series

  Tayvia Pierce

  “My name is Carys, and this is my story, though perhaps it is more of an explanation, or maybe a confession...Its’ name matters less than the fact it is my only way to show the world that I am not a terrible person, despite what the history books will say about me. I do not consider myself a villain, though perhaps by now I have earned such a title with my choices and my actions.

  It was never my intention to take that path and perhaps you will judge me harshly, calling my decisions mistakes, but I don’t see it that way. Could I have done things differently? I’ll never know for there is no going back, and there are no second chances to try for something better. Every choice I made was meant to save the people I love, to keep them safe and alive. I did what I needed to do, and so I find both vindication and peace in that.

  Much like a storm begins to gather long before the first roll of thunder is heard, so the fates set the first of many events into motion long before I had been born, pulling the unsuspecting innocents into the tempest and altering the destinies of many. Perhaps the best place to start would be at the beginning of my part in it, so will begin this tale with the day that I watched a man die.”

  ~ Carys ~

  CHAPTER 1

  It was a day like any other in my life, my morning spent in my studies and the afternoon wasted with shopping in the Perinthas Clothier’s Emporium with my adolescent sister, buying yet another dress that I had no need of. The tailors fawned and praised our beauty, each trying to get their stylish creations under my nose in the hopes of a compliment, or better yet, to be purchased. They understood the preferences and desires of the aristocracy, and it was difficult to choose. At last Rhian picked out a gown for me, giggling excitedly as she held it out to me. “This one!”

  The vibrant, sapphire silk brought out the cerulean hues in my own dark eyes so I bought it at the urging of my sister. Her favorite past time, it would seem, was talking me into buying dresses I didn’t need. My overflowing closet bears the tangible evidence of this; one day, I suspect, when she sheds her gangly adolescence and grows into her womanly form, she will take them all. I wonder now if that wasn’t Rhian’s diabolical fashion plan all along? Her triumphant smirk certainly suggested that.

  The darkening clouds on the horizon cut our shopping short and we began making our way home, weaving our way through the streets. Madox, our guard, followed right behind us wearing a frown as the others in the street jostled him. Smells of the bakery and it’s freshly baked bread mingled with the smell of spiced meat frying further up the street and Brynmor, our other guard, groaned as the aroma of the food surrounded us. “I should have eaten lunch,” he muttered, eliciting a soft laugh from me. Brynmor was always hungry.

  The road was soon packed with people as we neared Caullan Square, the heart of Perinthas and the lushest garden in the whole city, though today, its loveliness was marred as a crude wooden platform had been erected on the far side.

  Nearly half the population of the city (and judging by the attire of some of them, the surrounding villages as well) filled the courtyard to watch as a noose was strung up and secured, a cheer rippling through the crowd as it swung ominously in the wind. The cheers became jeers, growing louder and more fervent as a man, bloodied and beaten, was half led, half dragged by two guards onto the platform in chains.

  “Ah, damn.” Brynmor muttered, stretching his lean frame to get a better look over the heads of the crowd as his frown deepened.

  A man nearby overheard Brynmor and turned to explain he crowd before us as though the announcements over the last few days had been missed somehow. “The Yehketim are practically bangin’ on the gates an’ bringing their war with ‘em. Some warlord of theirs got hisself caught and now he’s goin’ get what’s coming to him. Filthy mongrels.” He gave a shout to join the throng, raising his fist into the air.

  Madox frowned, turning to glance towards my sister and I. “I think we should go another way home; you two don’t need to see this,” he said, already trying to usher us back the way we came. It was too late, though, as the road was now filled with crowds of spectators and trapping us in the quickly growing crowd. They began pressing in, the din growing into a roar as the noose was wrapped around the prisoner’s neck.

  The Captain General looked grim as he watched the Executioner tighten the noose, raising a hand, though it took a minute before the crowd quieted and he could finally speak. His stentorian voice carried through the entire courtyard. “Citizens of Perinthas! We are here for the public execution of this Lightless one, a warlord among our enemies, the nation of Yehket. His name is Jahi, and his list of crimes is too great to list. While our customs do not permit public executions, I thought it necessary to send a message to those within our walls who sympathize with the claims of those who oppose us. This is how we deal with those who would betray us to our enemies. Now, see our victory over this enemy, just as we will be victorious over the rest of his people in due time.”

  The crowd erupted into a rousing cheer, but I felt sick to my stomach. I had never seen anyone die, much less by execution. Long ago, the Lord of the city had ruled that public executions were too barbaric and while they still occurred, only the officials and those affected by the crimes were in attendance as justice was served. I frowned as I looked around the Square, not interested in being a part of this spectacle, though we no longer had a choice as the growing crowd had hemmed us in. “Rhian, do not watch this, do you understand me?” I said to her, the teen wide-eyed and fearful. She nodded and turned to look away, Brynmor pulling her against him to help shield her eyes.

  The Captain General continued. “I hereby charge you with high treason and sentence you to dea-...” His last words were cut off by the man in the noose, barely able to stand and yet his voice was heard clearly ringing with an authority of his own through the Square.


  “Do not be fooled!” He shouted, his voice cracking with self-righteous indignation. “The rightful king will rule! It’s you who are guilty! We will take back what is rightf-...” His voice was cut off as the floor fell out from beneath him, the rope suddenly taut, ending with a sharp snap. The silence was deafening, accented only by the creak of the rope and it’s burden moving with the wind before the crowd’s swiftly rising roar of exaltation thundered in our ears.

  I felt a shudder ripple through my being, unable to stop the gasp that accompanied the harsh lurch of my stomach as he was silenced forever. Whether it was the fact that I had just seen the man die, or dreadful surge of excitement of the crowd, I cringe as I was forced me to cover my ears with my hands and shut my eyes tightly.

  Madox’s arm was around me a split second later as he murmured apologetically. “It’s never easy to watch a man die.” I blinked, slowly turning my paling face up to his, locking my shocked blue eyes with his sympathetic brown. “He was full of dung, Lady Carys. He was a traitor and deserved what he got,” he reminded me firmly, beginning to steer me forward as Brynmor was trying to muscle a path through the crowd.

  “I know…” I murmured, disturbed by what I had witnessed. “I know, it’s just...his neck snapped so easily…” Madox’s lips tightened into a grim line, remaining close as we tried to get through the growing crowd which began to press forward even more, nearly pushing me to the ground on more than one occasion.

  A scream reverberated from somewhere behind us, the entire crowd shifting hard in response as a few more cries echoed. I turned to look over my shoulder to see what was happening, though Madox pushed me forward with a little more force as his height permitted him to see over the heads of most of the others. “The traitor had friends and they have incited some sort of riot. We need to get out of here before we get trampled or worse.” He murmured behind me, my feet moving faster without needing any further encouragement.

  The crowd pushed against us before the tide shifted and people began to flee the Square, Rhian shrieking as she was knocked over by a large man. “Rhi!” I cried out, though Brynmor was already scooping her up to safety. He suddenly ducked into an alley, pulling Rhian into the shadowed passage. Madox and I followed closely behind, breathing a sigh of relief at the clear passage that would carry us to the upper levels and home. I, for one, was most eager to reach the safety of our villa.

  By the time we reached home, I had stopped shaking and the fear had slowly begun to dissipate. Iolyn greeted us at the door, a worried look on his face as he looked us all over. “Did you go to the execution? I could see the crowd and hear cheering from the balcony, then people started screaming. Is everyone alright?” His eyes swept over both Rhian and myself and he added lowly, “Please don’t tell me you let the girls go there.”

  Brynmor waved dismissively. “That scummy Yehketim traitor’s Sympathizer friends weren’t happy about his execution. We’re fine, just starving. And no...we were shopping and got caught at the Square on our way back. I thought we could get home before the spectacle, but I didn’t count on the entire city being there.” Iolyn finally rolled his eyes with a forced smirk, though it didn’t replace the worry in his eyes.

  Iolyn glanced outside in the direction of the Square, commenting. “It’s been decades since they had a public execution. What on earth did he do to warrant such a humiliation?” My brother glanced to Rhian warily, trying to judge how affected she had been by the sight. She was paler than usual, looking frightened, though not sick to her stomach like I was, so I knew she hadn’t seen him die.

  Madox shook his head and muttered. “He was Yehketim and a traitor, probably encouraging those damned sympathizers. He hung, but not without yelling their usual drivel about their rightful king and that we were the true bad guys before he dangled.” Madox spoke with a surprising coldness, a tone I rarely heard in our generally warm-hearted guard.

  Iolyn’s brows shot up in surprise and he barked a laugh. “We are the villains? Was he a madman? Or did he just forget about the part where those savages sell women and children into slavery and brutally torture and murder people?” He shook his head in disgust, though I felt faint. The traitor’s words had bothered me, but Iolyn was probably right about his insanity.

  Iolyn ran a hand through his light brown hair as his easy smile returned. “Well, dinner will be served soon, and then Father wants to talk to all of us after dinner. Shall we go have wine on the balcony until then?” With his usual flourish, he waved us through the front doors.

  CHAPTER 2

  I went upstairs to freshen up, still feeling rattled by the execution I had just witnessed and the dead man’s last words. Father had seen death, being a soldier in the Taurovan army, and he always said that a man’s last words were the most important things he would ever say. Unless he’s a madman, and then it means nothing.

  I took a calming breath before donning my new gown at Rhian’s insistence, running my hand through my hair to tame the raven tresses a little as the dampness in the air had encouraged the loose waves to curl all the more. Having little desire to spend time primping led me to ignoring the faintly wild look the waves gave me; I made my way to the upper balcony, taking my usual place on the lounging chaise.

  Stretching my legs out over the plush fabric was a relief, relaxing all the more as a servant brought me a pinot noir, my preferred vintage. Rhian had arrived here before I did, and she smiled approvingly as she saw what I wore. Her slight form was seated on the marble bench at the railing, lute on her lap, clutched lovingly to her torso as she plucked away at the strings. She seemed to have recovered from her fright well enough, for which I was relieved.

  Rhian chewed on her lip, deep in concentration as she practiced her favorite song...Mother’s favorite song, actually, though with Mother’s death, it had become Rhian’s also.

  My gaze was pulled past Rhian and in the direction of the Square as I listened, the city stretching out below in all directions. Perinthas, the capital city of the kingdom of Taurova and the center of trade for our realm boasted cream-colored stone buildings covered with roof-tiles of green, blue, and orange, all constructed and set right into the hill that rose up from the harbor like a large, mismatched staircase. Walls throughout the city were graced with murals and fabrics of every color and stone roads zigzagged their way up the hillside between the rows of buildings.

  Each structure had its purpose, buildings ranging from simple homes in the lower levels to opulent manors in the higher, shops and stables mixed in between the forges and places of scholarly pursuits. The Square was a wide expanse in the center of the city, green grass, trees, and flowers of every kind made it the favored place of nobles and peasants alike.

  But the sparkling jewel of Perinthas was found perched atop the bluff that overlooked the city, the Palace of the King, which shone in the sunlight as a beacon of hope to the weary sea-folk, guiding them to shore. The city glittered like gemstones in the golden rays of the setting sun and it filled me with pride for being among its aristocracy. It was one of the oldest, largest, and arguably the most beautiful city in all the known world, and it was my home.

  I absently sipped my wine as I listened to Rhian play, my eyes and thoughts drawn to the storm clouds far out at sea as they rolled slowly towards the city. The ebb and flow and constant shifting of the clouds made me wonder if it was forming its plan of attack, laying in wait before rushing in to drench the city and its unsuspecting inhabitants with its downpour. I tried to gauge how much time we had to sit outside before the storm would force us to take shelter inside. I guessed we had an hour, maybe a little more.

  I could see Rhian’s head turning out of the corner of my eye, but if Rhian was hoping for our usual small talk, she would be disappointed. I was less in the mood for idle conversation than usual, still feeling the knot in my stomach from the events of the afternoon. It had brought about a pensive mood, though it was a melancholy that was occurring more frequently of late. I wasn’t exactly one f
or philosophical contemplation back in those days, but I was, at least, realizing there was a growing dissatisfaction within me. The reasons, however, were still beyond my comprehension that day.

  I finally lay back on the couch, letting my eyes close as the sun warmed my face. Here in the south, the sun was strong, but my olive skin seemed to resist its heat, not turning red when I spent too much time outdoors. I was fortunate that way; my brother and sister with their fair skin were forced to spend more time inside lest they burn and blister. A lesson they learned the hard way, and the cause of some envy on the hottest days of summer.

  My long black hair hung over the back of the couch as I lay there, finally finding a moment of contentment which lasted only as long as it took for Rhian to strike a wrong chord. My eyes cracked open a little with a slight scowl and I turned to look towards her. She was giving me an apologetic look, but my thoughts were less so. I swear she does that on purpose.

  A calming breath led to giving her a wry smile and I couldn’t resist teasing, “Oops?” Rhian wrinkled her nose at me for making light of the error, but then at fifteen, she wrinkled her nose at me for much less on a regular basis. My brief moment of quiet contentment had evaporated with me being pulled from my thoughts so I sat up, swinging my legs over the edge of the couch to set slippered feet on the tiled floor. I studied my slippers with a grimace as one nearly slipped from my foot. These really are impractical for everything but lounging around the house, and even that’s chancy. Rhian’s sniffling pulled me from that thought as I glanced back up to the girl.