Realms of Stone and Gold

by C. E. Olson

  Instead of answering, Varis uses what little light they do have to check his brother for injuries. Other than a small cut from the blade that was held against his throat, he appears unharmed. “I did what I had to do, and because of that, you're going back to Ostusen tomorrow.”

  “The hell I am! And what of you?”

  “Well,” Varis says, “I think I'll be in for a new nickname. I'll no longer be the Fae Hammer or the Armorless Twat, but rather something a little more unsavory, like... Varis Kester, the Oath Breaker of Ostusen. Two oaths, two rulers, and I can't keep them both. Or, I could... but I'd have better luck getting Trystrel to join the carnival.”

  “Damn it, Varis.” Reeve slumps into a chair and drops his forehead into his hand. “So how do we get out of it? Can we—” His brother stands abruptly, his eyes wide with fear. “You swore an oath with her? How exactly was it worded?”

  He scoffs. “About that. I don't exactly remember. She's a little overwhelming up close.” Varis fidgets, realizing from Reeve’s complete silence that he's going to have to answer. “Watch out for humans. In a slip of the tongue at the time, I told her that I wanted to watch you safely cross over the portal to Ostusen and made her promise no Fae would go after you. I told her if you remained safe, I’d...”

  The fear on Reeve’s face contorts to anger and then back to fear in a matter of seconds. “You’d what? Spit it out.”

  “She wants Sontar dead. I don't know why, it's never been my place to ask. I told her I'd do it if you were safe. And yes—” he adds quickly, holding up a hand “—I attempted to point out I'm awful at this. She didn't care. All devastatingly good looks and no brains, I'm afraid.”

  “Good looks?” Reeve asks as if he didn’t even notice. “How did you even see her face when she was condemning you to death?” He starts rustling around the room like he might find answers inside the dresser, but all he’s doing is worsening Varis’ anxiety. “I didn’t swear a bloody oath, I’ll cut her where she stands.”

  “Stop, Reeve. Stop. Please,” Varis says softly, and the hint of real desperation in his voice makes his brother freeze. “My own death scares me a lot less than yours does. And I have no intention of dying, anyway. She doesn't know this yet, but I know Sontar’s weaknesses. It's the singular perk of his relationship with Balian. With her on my side—”

  “On your side. You truly believe anything in the world could get her on your side?”

  “Maybe! She could've killed us both already, Reeve. We walked right into a pretty, glamoured trap, and she could've killed us both. But she didn't, and now we both have a chance to make it through this. You have to go back. Go to Attarand, stall Balian. Buy me time. You want to help me? That's how. Make sure I can come home when this is over.”

  “I don’t like this... did she give her word she won’t kill you when it’s done?”

  Varis almost lies, almost says yes, just to appease Reeve and get him somewhere safe — but even now, he can't. “No. Your safety was the only one guaranteed. If she does kill me after... you know what to do.”

  Reeve stares at him for so long Varis waits for the inevitable explosion, but to his surprise, it never comes. Instead, his brother walks over and exhales a deep breath. “If this is the only way I can help, I will go to the king in your stead... and if she causes you any harm at all, I’ll kill every Fae in this damned realm.”

  “That's what I like to hear,” Varis says with a soft smile. “Who knows, maybe they'll give you your own stupid nickname when you do.”

  Reeve huffs and reaches out to ruffle his hair as he’s done so many times before. “The Scorned Brother maybe... or what about... The Handsome Avenger? Eh? I think the second one is more fitting.”

  “That's the one I'd go with if it were up to me. Let history remember us as the one who didn't know his weaponry and the one too handsome to be called anything else,” Varis jokes, but the humor fades quickly as he realizes this might be the last night he ever spends near his brother. “Nice of them to provide some wine. Should we drink?”

  “Yes. The whole bloody thing.” Reeve walks over and drinks from the bottle, but his face turns in disgust. “It’s too bloody sweet.”

  Varis takes it from him with a shrug. “Sweet or not, it's better than water.” He raises it to his brother. “Till the last of us dies?”

  To his surprise, Reeve busts up laughing and snatches the wine from his grip. “If we make it out of this, you should take up motivational speaking. I hear there’s a market.”

  Rolling his eyes, Varis skips the wine and flops down on the bed. “Very funny.”

  THE NEXT MORNING, VARIS doesn't want to get up. All he dreamt of all night was Aine's face, and how very right Reeve was — he was being threatened, her beauty should've been the last thing on his mind. And yet... she's the first to truly be a step ahead of him, she wasn't looking at him with the fear her kind normally does... and her eyes...

  Knock, knock.

  “No,” Varis yells with his face buried in the pillow. “We're not home.”

  Queen Aine enters their room and shoves open the curtains. “No, you’re not home, and first light has come and gone,” she says. Reeve groans loudly and attempts to toss a pillow at her but he misses his mark by nearly a foot. To their surprise, Aine chuckles. “I can see why you’re not the Hammer. Is this really your backup?”

  “Shut up. What was in that damned fruity wine? My head feels like it’s splitting open,” Reeve complains.

  “Don’t be such a baby. You should be thankful we left you some sun wine at all.”

  “Thankful?” Reeve sits up to frown at her. “I’m sorry, Your Grace. I must have missed the hospitality memo when I was being shoved in a bloody cell.”

  Varis smacks him, but the angle is awkward since he still refuses to roll over. “Is this what it's like having a mom? If so, I'm glad I'm a bastard.”

  “A bastard? And you?” she asks Reeve in a curious tone.

  “No. My mother was around for a while, but she never could fully let Varis in. She said he looked like the whore who spawned him but that was a lie, we both look like our cuck father.” Reeve shoves Varis and gets out of bed. “Why do you care? Probably plan on killing us as soon as you get the chance.”

  “I gave my word I wouldn’t. Do you know nothing of the Fae way?”

  “I know enough to know your trickery.”

  “There is no trickery, we sealed the bond the old way. This cannot be undone.”

  “The old way?” Reeve pulls the blankets off his brother. “No wonder you said she was pretty. You bloody kissed her.”

  Varis finally rolls onto his back and crooks an arm behind his head. He’d stayed fully dressed and armored overnight, and smiles at the glimpse of what looks like disappointment on Aine’s face. “Just the once. I was a little tied up.”

  “That isn’t important.” The queen avoids his gaze and orders her help to bring them some breakfast. “You’ll eat and we’ll be on our way. How long does it take to travel to the Lunar Court? Hours?”

  He has no intention of taking Trys with them, so he shakes his head. “Sorry, Your Grace. If you expect to make it all the way to where Sontar does his business without being seen, we have to walk. It'll take weeks, and that's if we’re lucky. We need to stay out of sight.”

  “Weeks?” She finally looks at him and approaches the bed. “I can’t be gone for weeks, Varis. I thought you had your own peryton?”

  “Should've thought about that, Your Grace,” he says flatly. “That peryton doesn't belong to me, I can't make him come. And again, we can't be seen if you plan on making it back here alive. Feel free to let me out of the deal, though, if you can’t come with.”

  With an ice cold stare, she crosses her arms, stubbornness radiating off of her. “No.”

  Varis hears Reeve’s snort from the side as he finally breaks their spell. “You sound like an old married couple already.”

  “Shut up,” they both say in unison.

  “See what
I mean?”

  Aine ignores Reeve and rounds back on Varis. “You need a bath first. Did you really sleep soundly in your armor?”

  The mention of his clothing has him checking out hers, and he’s quickly distracted by the way her small black dress hugs her hips. “Not too much armor, Your Grace. Just enough to help me sleep soundly in the middle of enemy territory.”

  “Hmm.” Before she can speak again, Vaenor brings them their breakfast. He doesn’t say a word to Varis or Reeve as he sets the tray on the dresser and takes his leave. “Eat and then bathe, I’ll be back in one hour.”

  Varis stands and starts undressing right there. “Sure you don't want to stay? I heard Reeve likes a captive audience.”

  For the first time, the queen looks flustered. “No, I — why would I —” she hastily backs toward the door “—of course I don’t want to stay.” The second his bare torso is on display, she turns and rushes from the room.

  “Is it just me, or does she have a little crush on the Fae Hammer?”

  Varis lets out a slow breath as he tries to work out why he cares, but pushes that down. “It's probably the opposite. Saw the scars and remembered how many of them I got from killing her kin.”

  “Maybe.” Reeve shrugs, walking over to sniff the food. “You bathe first and I’ll eat. She isn’t what I thought she’d be.”

  Yet, Varis thinks silently. “Do you feel better about my chances of survival now?”

  “Not really.” Reeve shoves some bacon into his mouth and contemplates a little more. “If anything, I’m more worried. Whatever you do... don’t sleep with her.”

  Instantly, Varis goes on the defensive. “Really, Reeve? You, who spends so much of his time trying to get me to have sex with someone, are telling me not to have sex with her?”

  “Yes, I am. Which means you should bloody listen. I’m wiser than you think I am, y’know.” Reeve points his bread at Varis accusingly. “Ma used to tell me stories at night about how the royal Fae women eat their mates. I don’t trust her.”

  All the color drains from Varis’ face. “Eat them? As in... what you're doing to that bread right now, and not something else that I actually happen to enjoy?”

  Dramatic as always, Reeve grabs a sausage and bites half of it in one go. “Just like that, little brother. If you have any love for your most precious member down below, you’d be wary to touch the wench.”

  When Reeve bites again, Varis flinches and lets out a little yell. “Yeah. Noted. No lying with the Queen.” He sinks into the bath with his back turned to Reeve and frowns — this definitely isn't news he wanted to hear.

  When his brother speaks again, he sounds like he’s laying back down on the bed. “You’re thinking about it though, aren’t you?”

  “I wasn't until you said it, but now I can't stop,” he admits, then ducks under the water to avoid the rest of the conversation.

  It sounds like a problem for later.

  Chapter Nine

  Once Varis is cleaned up and fed, he messes with his hair while Reeve hurls playful insults at him. He ignores them for the most part, believing that he's not doing this for Aine, but simply because an assassin shouldn't show up looking like an urchin — then is reminded again it'll be weeks before he shows up anywhere.

  Leaving Reeve isn't something he's prepared to do now that it's time, but he knows he has to, so he doesn't complain when Aine shows up to take them.

  “It's time,” she says coldly.

  “Makes it sound like an execution, not a rescue mission,” Varis replies. “And this is supposed to be a version of the latter.”

  “What is with you humans? Do they really lie on a whim so regularly that you don’t believe the truth when you hear it? Or are you just that thick? You won’t be executed, I gave my word.”

  Reeve covers his mouth to hold back a laugh. “You’re going to have fun, Varis. Bet you miss my sense of humor before I’m out of sight.”

  “I do have a nice ass,” Varis quips, intentionally misunderstanding her insult. “How unfortunate for you that I'm not going to let you touch it.” He flashes her a closed-lipped smile and slings his bag over his shoulder, then nods to Reeve. “The faster I start missing you, the faster I can stop. Go on.”

  The Queen shoves in front of him to walk out first and Vaenor is there to hand her a satchel. “Your Grace. Let me accompany you.”

  “Vaenor, I’ll be fine. These boys won’t hurt me. In fact, Varis here has to make it his priority that I come home unscathed. Right, Hammer?”

  Varis raises his eyebrows. “I actually don't remember that being a part of our negotiations, Your Grace. Just that I'd do the job and you'd make sure no one hurt or killed Reeve.”

  Aine kicks her leg out backward to trip him and then launches on top of him with her blade in her hand. “Or maybe I’ll be the one protecting you.” She presses the tip to his jaw, and Varis grips her hips quickly to try and move her off his crotch before it's too late.

  Unfortunately, it's already too late. He swallows thickly and huffs a nervous, embarrassed laugh. “See? You don't need my protection. Doing just fine on your own.”

  Varis can tell she felt it by the way she scrambles off and pulls her skirt back down. “Shut up.”

  Reeve snorts and helps his brother to his feet. “The Queen said shut up to you.”

  “She'll be in luck then. I'm sure in a few hours, I won't have much to say at all.” He rubs his jaw and then shields his eyes as they walk outside. “I hate how bright it is here.”

  Aine’s skin seems pale in the sunlight and she mimics his motion. “Just because you favor darkness doesn’t mean the sun can’t be beautiful.”

  “Didn't say it wasn't, Your Grace. Just that it's bright.” Varis once again hears the whispers of those around him as they head through the courtyard he watched for days. “Too easy to be seen,” he points out.

  “You’re not wrong there.” Aine inhales a deep breath and when she releases it, Varis feels his skin tingle. He looks around to find that no one else is staring at them. Their voices are slightly muted, and when he waves his hand in front of him, he feels an invisible barrier.

  “Glamour,” Reeve states from his left and suddenly it sounds as if he’s struggling not to laugh. “Nice bosom, brother.”

  “Shut up.” Varis slides his hands over his body and grins, winking over at Aine. “Thanks for this. Might make the nights a little more enjoyable now.”

  Her smile firmly stays. “Possibly. Do you also like an audience like your brother?”

  Reeve scoffs. “Leave me out of this. You remember what I told you, Varis.” He bites at the air when Varis looks, but straightens when the Queen turns his way.

  “What are you two talking about?”

  “Nothing,” Varis says simply. “He's warning me not to get frostbite since the Lunar Court is such a cold place.” The lie rolls easily from his tongue, but the last thing he wants is to tempt her. “Especially now. My nipples are bigger.”

  Aine chuckles. “As are your ears.” Varis sees Reeve reach up to touch his own ears, but shrugs when they don’t feel any different. “It’s a glamour, Reeve, not a body swap.” She rolls her eyes, but instantly tenses as they’re approached by two Fae with weapons.

  “None of you look familiar... but if you’re looking for a good time, we’d love to have drinks.” The taller one eyes Varis with lust oozing from his eyes. “You’re very pretty.”

  He bristles a little bit. He would've been interested, but he highly doubts the glamour would hold up for something like that. “Sorry, I'm in a hurry.”

  “Bummer. Maybe next time.”

  The men take their leave and Reeve bumps Varis lightly before they start walking again. “Wonder if he would have liked what was down below, brother.”

  “I've got a little something for everyone,” Varis says with a shrug. “A... round peg and a round hole,” he muses. “What's not to like about that?”

  The fact that the Queen trips over her feet isn’t lo
st on Varis, and his brother laughs so hard people turn and stare again.

  “Sorry, Your Grace. You've had run-ins with that round peg a couple of times already, I wasn't aware you'd be bothered by the topic.” Varis turns to walk backward and realizes that's not very ladylike, which only makes him take longer strides.

  “Turn around, you brute. You’re in a skirt.” Aine smiles apologetically at a couple that has to move out of his way, and Varis can tell she’s relieved they’re almost out of the busy side of town.

  He wonders what would happen with a glamour if he bent over. “What would they see if I lifted the skirt? If you wanted me to blend in, this wasn't a good way to do it.”

  “Bloody hells!” she whispers sharply.

  “Neither of you are very ladylike, but I’d like to know that answer, too.”

  “Shut up, Reeve. They’d see whatever I wanted them to see.”

  The possibilities there are endless, and Varis finds himself missing Jeskar... or, at least, the things Jeskar made him feel. He falls silent then, wondering if he'll see him again one day or live long enough to find someone else, but those thoughts drift directly to Aine. With Reeve’s warning in mind, he keeps his distance from her and begs himself to think about anything else at all. The changing terrain around them, the fact that he'll be saying goodbye to Reeve soon, the blazing heat of the summer sun. Anything.

  His companions seem to feel the shift in mood and they join him in silence. It isn’t until they reach the outskirts of civilization that Reeve finally speaks. “Where’s Trys? Will he stay away from the Queen’s scent completely?”

  “He nearly stayed away from yours, and you're human,” Varis points out. “It's better this way, anyway. Trys will stay safe and I'll stay out of sight.”

  “Trys... is that your peryton?” Aine asks curiously. “You care for him.” It isn’t a question, but something in her eyes changes as she watches him for an extra few steps.