Realms of Stone and Gold

by C. E. Olson

Varis doesn't say anything right away. The mere suggestion that he wouldn't care puts him off, but he knows his reputation, particularly here. Why wouldn't she be surprised to find that a notorious killer has creatures and people he loves? “Of course I care for him,” he says after a moment. “Please don't use that against him. Trystrel doesn't deserve to be punished for the things I've done.”

  “I wouldn’t harm him. I even ordered my men to leave him be when they began hunting him. I do not blame creatures for the sins of men.” Aine begins tying her hair up in a ponytail, and although he doesn’t want to look, his eyes begin to travel along her smooth neck and he finds himself staring at her breasts.

  He doesn't stop until Reeve smacks him. “Leave me alone. Looking doesn't mean touching,” Varis hisses. He turns back to Aine with a cocky smile. “So, you think I'm a sinner?”

  “Yes.” She looks between them as if she’s trying to catch on to what they’re talking about. “We all are.”

  “Got that right,” Reeve retorts. “Even you, Your Grace.”

  Varis tries very, very hard not to imagine those particular sins, but when he fails, he simply pushes past the others to walk in front. For some reason, Reeve’s warning only made him more curious — and now, the prospect of spending weeks alone with her is daunting. “Keep up. We’re almost there.”

  “I see you looking, Queen. That’s Ostusen’s ass.”

  “Don’t be absurd, Reeve. I wasn’t looking at that.” Even though they’re behind him, he can hear the embarrassment in her tone. She’s just as tempted as he is, which doesn't make him feel any better at all.

  When they approach the portal, Varis licks his lips and prepares to get scolded, or worse, for the lack of Fae guarding it. Hoping Aine won't notice, he turns and waves them quickly over. “Come on, ladies first. That means you, Reeve.”

  “Damn right, it does.” His brother shoves in front, but to his dismay, the Queen looks around them with a concerned frown.

  “Where are my—” She stares at Varis and he recognizes the moment it clicks in her mind. “You didn’t! You slaughtered my guards! Seriously?”

  Varis pushes Reeve through the portal and steps in front of it. “Sorry, I can't really talk right now. I want to make sure he gets home safely. You understand, right? Be back before you know it.” He winks and steps through after Reeve, but he barely has both feet on the ground before she follows and shoves him aside slightly.

  “Bloody amateurs! Hopefully we won’t need any more guards if you stay on my good side.”

  “This is her good side?” Reeve whispers loud enough for her to hear, earning himself a scowl.

  All Varis hears is that the guards were only there because of him, and he doesn't know how to feel about that. To know they failed in their only mission makes him sad for reasons he doesn't understand, but he's also a little amused that he's the only human they're scared of. “Apparently,” he says to Reeve. “I’d hate to see what her bad side is.”

  “How much longer is it?” Aine asks. “Are we almost at his castle?”

  Reeve huffs a laugh and meets his brother’s gaze. “Castle? Who does she think we are?”

  “Apparently people worthy of castles. They're really more like huts, I think,” Varis muses. “And it's not much further, actually. Reeve lives closer than I do.”

  “Will we be stopping by your hut as well?” While the landscape around them holds all of Aine’s attention, before his eyes her pointed ears disappear and his body returns to normal.

  Varis hums. “No. I don't keep much at mine, there's no point in traveling there. It'll just waste time.”

  As it is, it takes them the better part of an hour to get there. He can tell Aine is tired and unaccustomed to long trips like this, but he doesn't feel badly for her. Not like he should, anyway.

  “Guess this is where we part, brother.” All humor is gone from Reeve’s face. It’s darkened more with each step they took since they entered the Stone Realm, but now, he looks upon the Queen with disdain. “You better be good on your word, Aine.”

  “I already told y—” Echo stalks forward from the north, cutting the Queen’s response short on her tongue. “Be gone, shadow cat.”

  Echo doesn’t seem to care that she’s a queen; her purring fills the silence around them.

  Reeve pets the top of her head, seemingly lighter already. “This is Echo. She’ll be going with you.”

  “Oh no,” Varis says firmly. “No. I'd rather not travel with two females that want to kill me.” He watches the cat with suspicion and moves his hand to the hilt of his dagger. “Not happening, Reeve. She'll stay with you and Laix.”

  “Are you going to tell her she can’t go? She does as she pleases,” Reeve reminds him. Echo sniffs the Queen before she turns to Varis and walks to sit by his feet. “I think she’s made up her mind.”

  “Reeve,” he says in a warning tone. “Why are you punishing me?”

  “You punished me first. Safe travels, little brother.” Reeve pushes his head and moves toward Aine, but before he can speak, Laix exits the house. Reeve’s entire face lights up, which only solidifies Varis’ choice to leave him behind.

  After they finally say goodbye, the queen bumps him with her arm. “I don’t want to kill you, Hammer... and I don’t believe she does, either.”

  He meets her eyes and lets out a breath. “How can you not? I’ve killed more members of your court than I can even remember. I tried to kill you. Why wouldn't you want me taken out?”

  “I’m not a killer,” she says plainly. “Though I won’t lie, I did give those guards the order to kill you if they could, and they failed. In my chambers, my orders were to do you no harm, but... well... desperate times.”

  Something a little like devastation settles in him when he realizes this is all for nothing. She wouldn't have hurt Reeve, and yet he allowed fear to guide his own choices, and now he's at her mercy. “That was a very queenly thing to do, Your Grace. Very cold and calculating. You got what you wanted and now I’m the one facing the dark of death. Well done.” It occurs to him that he should ask what those desperate times are and why she's so keen on murdering King Balian’s ally, but it doesn't matter. The truth will come out eventually, and even if it doesn't, reason has never been a part of his job. “We should get moving.”

  “Isn’t that your job? Don’t you face the dark of death every time you cross realms? You would have never agreed to help me on your own, you would have slaughtered me in my sleep. Forgive me for doing what I had to do for you to open your ears.” Aine stalks ahead of him slightly, her hair bouncing with each stomp of her boots.

  “No, I don't normally face anything but the stench of dying Fae when I cross over,” he says coldly. “You may not believe it from how wildly and fantastically we screwed it all up with you, but I'm actually very good at this.” He follows her and lets out a sharp sigh. “But you're right. I wouldn't have helped you willingly.”

  Aine rounds on him and shoves him back with a strength that surprises him. “I know all too well how bloody good you are, Varis. And yet here I am making deals with you for the good of my kingdom.” For the first time, Aine looks almost human, and Varis doesn’t know what to do. “Believe it or not, I wouldn’t have made the deal willingly, either. You’re not the only one facing death here, but I will gladly die to ensure my kingdom is never at the mercy of King Sontar, the king who has more blood on his hands than you.”

  “Then I suppose we’re at a stalemate, Your Grace,” Varis says coldly. “Now move. It's not safe for either one of us here, fancy glamours or not. The sooner we rid the world of your supposed tyrant King, the better.” He stalks past her, hiking his bag a little higher on his shoulder, and all he gets in response is the crunch of leaves under her feet to tell him she’s following.

  They travel in silence for another hour before the Queen speaks again. “I’m hungry. We’ll rest here.”

  “No. With all due respect, Your Grace, we won't be stopping until we cross back over. W
e should spend one more night at your precious castle and set off for the Lunar Court tomorrow. Keep moving.”

  “With all due respect,” she mocks, but follows anyway. “Why do you insist on the formalities? I did give you permission to call me Aine, you know.”

  “Are you going to be this hard to please our entire trip, Your Grace?” Varis watches for the usual landmarks, but his mind is quickly traveling elsewhere. “Seems to me it doesn't matter what we call each other. You're a queen. I'm not.”

  “And yet, you’re bossing me around. I said I’m hungry and you just ignored me.”

  Varis stops, turning to face her. “Out here, you don't know what you're doing. You don't know how to hide, or blend, or where it's safe to stop and eat. Do you understand that my King isn't making a secret about the fact that he wants you dead? If someone even senses that you're here, especially with me, we’ll have worse things to worry about than each other. The portal is less than thirty minutes from here. We should go.”

  When Aine nods and walks next to him, they fall into a different kind of silence, one he can’t quite put his finger on. Crossing the portal helps ease his mind from the humans, but he’s in just as much danger in this realm as the next.

  “One night in the castle?” she asks.

  “Yes. You can eat whatever you wish, I'll stay behind guarded doors, and tomorrow... we’ll leave for real. You have one more night to be a queen, Your Grace. After that, you’re mine.”

  Chapter Ten

  Aine

  Aine internally scolds herself for letting his words send a chill up her spine. It doesn’t matter where she goes or who she’s with. She’s Queen Aine of the Sun Court, she doesn’t belong to anyone. And yet... she has a passing thought that she wants to. It leaves her flustered and tripping over her words. “I— how dare y— fine.” Fine? she scolds herself. No, it is not fine. You are a queen! Act like one. “Or perhaps you’re mine.” Pink rises to her cheeks at how ridiculous her mouth is being, and she closes it with a snap to keep from embarrassing herself further.

  “Oh. Right, so you're going to lead the way? Do you know how to get there? How to trap your own dinner, which berries to avoid? How to pick the best spots to riverbathe? By all means, Your Grace,” Varis says cheekily. “I'm all yours.”

  “Shut up.” Aine shoves past him as they approach the castle, actually grateful for his sour attitude. It reminds her who he is, and helps her fight that gut-wrenching urge to invite him to her bed. He’s a killer, she reminds herself. One that would love to see you dead. Her guards look relieved to see her when they enter, and after quick pleasantries, she rounds on Varis once again. “I’ll have supper and warm water sent to your room. Vaenor, see to it he’s comfortable.”

  “My Queen.”

  His bow actually annoys her slightly, but not as much as Varis’ smug face. “Anything else, Varis Kester?”

  “Full names, now? Alright. No, Your Grace, Queen Aine of the Sun Court, Ruler of the... Castle We’re in Right Now.” Varis winks. “Unless, of course, you've got whiskey hidden somewhere.”

  “No whiskey. Not before the journey ahead of us. Only wine to help you sleep.” Aine holds up her nose and ascends to her tower.

  Her mind reels from their time together and it was only hours, hours with a man she’s supposed to hate, and by the time she’s laying in her bed, she misses his company. Pull yourself together, Aine. It’s going to be a long bloody trip.

  AINE STRUGGLES TO LEAVE her bed when the morning sun rises. It mocks her through the drapes, and when Dinae shoves them open, she hides under her pillow. “I change my mind. Wake me when the Hammer has killed Sontar.”

  “He has repeatedly requested to go alone,” Dinae offers. “I'm sure he would. Would you like me to tell him you won't be joining?”

  “No.” Aine tosses the pillow and sighs. “No, I have to go. We can’t risk him failing and I believe I can help him succeed. Do you still believe I’m making a mistake, Dinae?”

  She inclines her head. “Yes, Your Grace. But when has that ever stopped you?”

  She’s not wrong, so Aine doesn’t respond right away. Dinae may be her longest friend, but she lacks what it takes to rule. Aine doesn’t expect her to understand. “Has he awoken?”

  Dinae begins to comb out her hair. “Yes. He's been training Wilken to spar,” she says quietly. “I'm surprised you couldn't hear their swords clashing earlier.”

  Thinking of Varis’ sword is the last thing she should have on her mind, and she hopes Dinae is too distracted to notice her blush. “He says it will take weeks to arrive on foot. I’ll need my knee-high boots and the holster my father had made for me.” Thinking of her father helps get her mind back on task. King Sontar must pay for his actions, and this is the only way.

  “Yes, Your Grace. I've already brought your breakfast in; I'll get your things together and then you can go. Would you like me to bring him in?”

  “Yes, but first, can you do the braids? I’ll need my hair out of my face for what's to come.” When Dinae begins tugging on her hair, Aine closes her eyes, imagining Varis playing with her hair instead of Dinae. This time, she allows herself to envision what it would be like to be touched by the Hammer. Would those strong, rough hands surprise her and be gentle? Or would the reputation that precedes them prove true? She mulls it over until Dinae is finished, and only then does she open her eyes and tuck those questions aside.

  Her handmaiden watches her with curiosity. “You're not afraid of him.”

  “No.” Aine stands and begins to dress as she decides how much to say out loud. “There’s something about him, Dinae. He doesn’t scare me at all.”

  “I must not see what you see, then. Are you... never mind.” Dinae blushes and curtsies slightly, then heads for the door. “I'll bring him in.”

  By the time Varis enters, Aine is zipping up her boots. She stands abruptly and waves a hand at the spread before her. “Food. Then we’ll be on our way.”

  “You're easily startled for a queen,” he comments as he heads for the table and picks up an apple. “Didn't she tell you I was coming?”

  “Yes. I was lost in my head.” Aine eyes him, hating how attractive he looks. “I heard you were sparring with my men. Seems I’m not the only Fae that doesn’t fear you.”

  Varis takes a bite of that apple and chews loudly as he watches her. “Wilken wasn't afraid because I was given a sparring sword and he had a real one. Your other guard... what was his name again? He wouldn't come near me.”

  “Vaenor? Or do you mean Mavin? Tall fellow with a scar on his nose?”

  “Him, yes. But Vaenor doesn't want to come near me either since he's not allowed to kill me yet.” He continues to eat, picking at a little of everything. “One day, though.”

  “He’ll never have permission to kill you,” Aine says, sharper than she intends. “If he went against my wishes, it would be treason.”

  Nothing on Varis’ face changes. “Never say never, Your Grace. Once you're done with me and my oath is fulfilled, we go back to being natural-born enemies. You may need him to kill me one day.”

  “Hmm.” Aine picks at her food, thinking about his words. He’s right, they truly are enemies, and if anyone around her could hear the thoughts she has about Varis, she’d be called a traitor for the rest of her days. “Why does your King kill so many of our people?”

  “I was hoping you'd be able to tell me that,” he responds. “I assumed you were at war with him.”

  “We are; but we wouldn’t be if he would stop doing King Sontar’s bidding. I’ll never understand why he chose the darkness over the light. Are you close with him?”

  Varis’ eyebrows shoot up. “Close? With King Balian?” He snorts. “Are you close with your peasants, Your Grace? Where I come from, I might be called Master, but I'm not among the King’s confidants.”

  “Peasant?” Aine sits up straighter without realizing. “Is that why you don’t have a castle? Well, that seems counterproductive. I treat my assassins
as I do my personal guards.”

  Still, nothing on his face suggests understanding. “As does Balian. His Sentinel are allowed rooms in his castle, but they're not permitted to have their own. I consider myself lucky most days that I don't have to live there, too.”

  “Hmm,” she repeats. It seems like the more he opens his mouth the more confused she gets. “I don’t understand humans.”

  “What’s not to understand? We like three things: freedom, drinking, and fucking. The more of those we get, the happier we are. That's why you'll never see a Sentinel smile,” Varis says as he sits back. “They're not allowed to do any of those things, though I’ve corrupted one or two.”

  “And why would a man swear his life to a king that requires such things? Honor?”

  Varis drops the core of the apple onto his plate with a clatter. “No, Your Grace. Survival.” He stands, tightening the tie just under his leathers. “Would you prefer to sail or walk to the Lunar Court?”

  “Walk. I think sailing would draw too much attention. Plus, our glamours reflect off water, and let’s not forget the pirates.” Aine stands as well and secures her bag on her shoulders before taking one last look around the room. “I might never walk in this room again.” To her surprise, the realization hurts less than she thought it would. She’s about to experience things most queens only dream of, and although her adventure might end in death, she knows it will be worth it.

  AINE WAS SURE THE SHADOW cat had abandoned them the night before, but a few hours into their journey the beast appears at their side. “Hello, Echo.”

  “Don’t encourage her,” Varis whispers.

  “You’re just angry she likes me.” Aine pulls a cookie from her bag and feeds it to Echo with a soft smile on her lips. “You get more bees with honey, Varis Kester.”

  “Do I look like honey to you?” he asks, stepping into the trees and pulling out a crudely hand-drawn map. “We’ll have to sail eventually, but for now, we can walk here.” He drags his finger from the foot of her castle all the way across the Sun Court to the Baldes Sea. “Then we cross over here where it's narrowest and land virtually on Sontar’s property. I'll go in alone from there.”