by Megan Derr
Allen shrugged. "I'll try."
Jader didn't roll his eyes, but only barely.
Thankfully, before Allen could press further, the door flew open and Sarrica blew into the room like a hurricane. Jader had rarely seen him enter a room any other way—and Lesto wasn't much different, though he'd calmed slightly since resigning from the military. He stopped at Myra's desk and immediately started rattling off requests and questions, interspersed between a rant about whatever meeting he'd just come out of.
On the other side of the table, Allen lit up like a struck match. "You're late."
Sarrica immediately forgot about his conversation with Myra. He strode over to Allen and bent to kiss him. "Apologies. Some halfwits decided they were in the mood to lose a thousand crowns apiece today."
Jader winced.
"Remind me to ask later," Allen replied. "For now, sit down so we can share the news."
"I'm not sure I want to hear the news," Jader said, and poured himself more wine, drinking more at once than was judicious because he had the feeling he was going to need the buffer. "What have you done?"
Sarrica helped himself to wine, reclined back in his seat, and said, "It's not public knowledge yet, and won't be for some time—not that it'll stop everyone from knowing anyway—but the Marquis of Kyrmine and his family have defected to Demergo. We've been trying to change their minds for some time, but they've made their decision. We have seized their holdings, minus the money and belongings they were permitted to retain. That leaves us with a powerful swath of land unattended, and while there are plenty of worthy candidates to hand it to, under the circumstances, it seems best to give it to you."
Jader groaned. "You cannot be serious."
"You were always going to get a title and you know it," Sarrica said, rolling his eyes. "Stop acting like a child."
"I know nothing—"
"You lead my army, you can handle one little estate," Sarrica snapped. "From what I understand, it practically runs itself anyway. It would have to if that worthless Marquis and his family were too busy betraying me and the empire this whole time to run it properly."
Allen briefly cast Sarrica an amused look but said only, "I know you have more than enough to deal with right now, Commander, but it would be a good fit for you. Are you familiar with Kyrmine?"
"No, I'm afraid not."
"It's only a few generations old, created when Kyrminara was split in two by a civil war—"
Sarrica nudged Allen's ankle. "History lesson later."
Flushing slightly, Allen continued. "It's a coastal property, a few days' travel southeast. You probably know Nara's Point."
"Oh, that place." Jader's interest piqued despite himself. Nara's Point was beautiful. He'd only been once, when he was much younger and put on duty at the light tower there, years before he'd risen enough in rank to be visible to the terrifying High Commander. It could be a dangerous area for ships, and the light tower was crucial to keeping the number of wrecks to a minimum. "I never bothered to learn who was responsible for it, too young the one time I was there, and too busy since."
"It falls under control of Kyrmine, which makes the title all the more a fit for you," Sarrica said.
Allen added, "They also do quite a brisk business in fishing, trade, and rice." He cast Jader a sly look. "Always pay their taxes correctly and on time—often ahead of time."
Jader snorted. "That was before the Marquis was also High Commander. You'd better hope this staff I've never met is as good as promised because you'll get no such efficiency out of me." He narrowed his eyes as the discussion of Kamir, and everything Allen had said, came back. "You're a conniving, scheming brat."
"The finest in Harken," Sarrica said, and Allen didn't bother to try hiding his preening that time. Jader would have rolled his eyes if they were not so endearing. He'd never noticed just how miserable Sarrica truly was until Allen had made him happy.
"How long am I going to be gone?"
"Ideally, only a few months. We need you here, but we need this leverage in Benta more. That being said, if it takes longer than the end of the year, we'll pull you out. "
Jader nodded. "I still need to find someone to manage my duties."
"Lesto has said he's willing to step back into the role while you're gone," Sarrica said.
"No, absolutely not," Jader snapped. "He's retired; I'm not letting anyone, least of all me, drag him back for any reason. I'll punch even you if you let him."
Sarrica grinned lazily. "That is more or less what I said, though I threatened to punch him."
Jader grumbled and drank more wine. "I'll find someone, though I'll need all the time we can muster."
"You will also need someone to tend your new estate while you're gone," Allen said. "The people and staff largely run themselves, but there will be matters requiring your authority to resolve—or someone you've authorized to speak for you." Eyes taking on a sly cast again, he added, "If you are still… weighing certain matters… Lord Kamir is capable of overseeing the estate in your absence. He has been trained for precisely such duties. Most youngest sons are. It would give him weight and power, as well, which means he'll be that much safer from the machinations of the High Court."
Sarrica snorted. "Trained to rule, is that what you said?"
Allen shot him a small, smirking grin.
"I'll consider your suggestion," Jader said, not admitting he actually rather liked it—more than he would have expected, given he and Kamir did not know each other all that well, not really, though he'd spent more time talking to Kamir last night than he normally bothered with assignations. "I'll need time to arrange that and my fill-in for High Commander."
"You have most of a month. That will have to suffice," Sarrica said. "The paperwork should be ready in a few days; we'll send word round. We'll spare the formal announcement of your title until your return, but expect everybody to know by dinner tomorrow."
Lifting his eyes to the ceiling, Jader said, "They'll probably know by dinner tonight."
"They'd better not, or I'll be terminating some secretaries."
Myra snorted from his desk. "No, you won't because if it's any of mine, they'll be taken care of by me long before you reach them, Majesty."
Sarrica grinned.
Jader finished his wine and stood. "If that's all, Your Majesties, I should get on with my day and the very long list of duties that must be tended before I leave in less than a month."
Allen nodded, and Sarrica lazily waved him off.
Back in the hall, however, Jader found himself headed not back to his office, but to the opposite end of the palace, where the family suites for the wealthy but not titled were located. Peculiar place for Kamir to be, but then again, perhaps not if his only other choice was to live with or close to his family.
There was no reason to visit, not really. Allen's idea could be executed through messages, or he could send a note to arrange a meeting to discuss it. He had no good reason to go immediately see Kamir, to put a hundred more important matters on hold.
But now that he'd been given an excuse to see Kamir, he found he badly wanted to take it.
Jader knocked on the door and smiled at Velina.
She gaped at him in surprise, then smiled politely and even a little shyly. "Good evening, Commander."
Jader was having none of that. "Greetings, my fine lady. It's good to see your lovely face again."
Velina rolled her eyes as the hesitancy vanished from her demeanor. "None of your charm, fish bait. That stopped working on me a long time ago. I'm too old for your tricks."
Grinning, Jader replied, "You're half my age, if you're a day."
"You're as smooth as sand caught in the underclothes, Belarigo."
"And yet it still gets me out of trouble more often than not," Jader said with a laugh. Switching to Harken, he said, "I am sorry to arrive unexpectedly, but I was hoping to speak briefly with Lord Kamir, if he has the time and inclination to see me."
Velina opened the
door to let him inside. "He's currently in his office, but I'll go see if he's available to speak, Commander." She bowed and smiled, then darted off and vanished through a door on the far side of the suite.
Jader looked idly around. It was painted the usual medium blue of most such suites, accented in white and green, but Kamir had hung some beautiful paintings and a large clock with a glass face that showed the gears behind it. There were books on the window sill behind the large dining table, more in the little sitting area, and a few toys scattered about. There was a small bookcase in the sitting area, though instead of the books he would have expected, it was crammed full instead with old textbooks and cheap pin books.
Disappointingly, the children were not around. Though he was here to see Kamir, Jader would not have minded spending more time with Chiri and Chara. They'd been sweet, engaging, so eager to learn and talk, so unlike the more petulant and sullen children he came across in the palace.
The door across the room opened, and a flustered-looking Kamir appeared. His hair was loosely braided, and spectacles were perched on his nose. The sleeves of his dark green shirt were rolled up to his elbows, both the shirt and his skin stained with something that reminded Jader of grease.
Jader smiled and sketched a slight bow. "I am sorry to arrive uninvited and without warning."
Kamir shook his head, blinked a few times, then flushed and yanked off the spectacles. He tucked them into the front pocket of his shirt and crossed the room. "No need to apologize, Commander. What brings you to my humble home?"
"I wanted to speak more on a matter I mentioned briefly over dinner, but it will take a bit of time. Are you free to speak tonight or tomorrow? If you do not mind, of course."
"Why would I mind?" Kamir asked, the flush to his cheeks darkening.
Velina's laughter prevented whatever else either of them might have said then. "I'll go find Bremm and the children, my lord, and we'll have dinner in the banquet hall. I'll tell them you're working. We'll be back in…" She glanced up at the clock. "Two hours? I could probably push it to two and a half."
Kamir's flustered, but pleased expression made Jader really want to kiss him. "You've been far too gracious to me, Velina. I will never be able to repay you. That would be appreciated, thank you."
"I'll extract payment eventually, never fear, my lord." With a wink, she gathered her things and left, the door closing softly behind her.
Kamir's face turned redder. "I think it is my turn to apologize. I did not mean for her to make such an assumption—"
He tasted even sweeter than Jader remembered, and he'd thought about it every spare moment he had and many he didn't. He slid his fingers into the hair at Kamir's nape and deepened the kiss, his other hand coming up to cradle the side of Kamir's face, thumb brushing over his cheek.
That earned him some soft, startled but hungry noises, and hesitant fingers clung to his sides right above the swords.
Drawing back slightly, looping his arm around Kamir's shoulders to keep him as close as swords and armor permitted, Jader said, "I think I am outstripping you on presumptions."
"I do not feel presumed upon, Commander," Kamir said, voice a bit breathless.
Jader kissed him again, long and lingering, determined to savor as much as he could get, committing every taste and touch, every scent and sound, to memory for his wretched trip to Benta. "I swear I really did come here to talk, but you are devastatingly distracting."
"Well, we can certainly talk," Kamir replied, and Jader should not enjoy how shy and hesitant he was, but there was something hopelessly endearing and enthralling about the way he dipped his eyes before slowly looking up again, the determined tilt to his chin that contrasted so sharply with his flushed cheeks. "Will it take you two and a half hours to say what you need?"
And didn't that occasional display of boldness make everything so much headier. "The real question, sunshine, is whether two and a half hours is going to be enough time to do everything I want."
Kamir smiled, soft and shy, but some of his eagerness shone through. "That is not a question I can answer, but if you need help figuring it out, I'm happy to lend my assistance."
Jader kissed him again, hard and hungry, his cock twitching at the disheveled state the kisses left Kamir in. He should always look mussed and flushed and happy. "It would take a stronger person than me to refuse such an offer. Where is your bedroom?"
Smiling, tucking a loose strand of hair behind his ear, Kamir led the way to his bedroom. Jader made quick work of their clothes, but lingered as Kamir climbed into bed to search through the pile of fabric.
Kamir frowned at him. "What are you doing?"
Finding what he sought, Jader carried them to the bed and held them out. "Wear them?"
Kamir blinked at him, but laughed as Jader grinned, and put the spectacles on.
Making a soft, pleased noise, Jader pushed him down on the bed and showed Kamir just how thorough and creative he could be with an hour and a half.
By the time they were cleaned and dressed again, only half an hour remained. He followed Kamir back out into the main room, where someone had come with wine and food.
Instead of sitting, however, Kamir went to a small table in the corner and fixed himself a cup of tea. Astiri, by the bitter smell of it.
Jader poured himself some wine and dished out a bowl of the soup—a fish chowder that wasn't his favorite, though it was at least spicy.
Sitting down, Kamir smiled. "So what did you want to talk about?"
"I am being sent to Benta for at least a few months, possibly through the end of the year, though I hope not. I'll be leaving the beginning of next month."
"I hope it goes well," Kamir said softly. "I—" He cupped his hands around his teacup. "I will miss you." He looked up. "I mean, I presume nothing, but I have enjoyed—"
Jader rested a hand on his forearm. "I think it's clear we've both enjoyed our time together." He smiled, and Kamir returned it. "There was something else I wanted to tell you—ask you, rather, and it is an imposition."
"I'll decide that, Commander. What is it?"
Jader drew a deep breath and let it out slowly, and took another sip of wine before he finally explained the matter of the title abruptly thrust upon him. "I do not have time to deal with it, and frankly, neither does anyone else I know. I would not presume to say that you do, but I thought you would have experience in such matters, and I trust you not to play the thief or wreak havoc. Would you be willing to serve as guardian of my estate in my absence? I would pay you for the trouble, generously, and honestly I do not think it will cause you much trouble. I am told the estate largely runs itself, being used to doing so under the lack of caring displayed by the previous Marquis."
Kamir's mouth dropped open. "You—you want me to supervise your estate in your absence? You've only just—"
Jader tightened his grip. "You come highly recommended, and I think we are at least friends by this point, in some fashion."
"In some fashion," Kamir echoed faintly. He swallowed, hands trembling faintly as he picked up his tea and drained the cup. "Very well, Commander. I would be happy to serve as guardian of your estate. I assume you'll attend the paperwork?"
"Yes, and I'll send word when it's ready for signing. You promise this will not cause you any trouble? High Consort Allen informed me that dallying with me may have caused you and yours some difficulty—"
"While I appreciate His Majesty's concern, I can see to myself and made the decision to go to dinner with you fully aware of any and all possible consequences. I'm fine. My children and Velina are fine. Please, do not worry upon it. I am used to the court, and can take care of myself."
Jader smiled and reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair back. "I've never for a moment doubted that. I have high-ranking officers who are not half as fierce and self-sufficient as you. But if there is anything you need from me, now or after I'm gone, do not hesitate to ask for it. That is the very least I can do. I appreciate that you're willing
to do this for me. Thank you, very much. You may name your fee."
Kamir scoffed. "If we are friends, there should not be a fee."
"Preposterous. I will attend it." Jader finished his soup and wine and pushed the dishes away. "For now, I am afraid I must go. I am certain your children would like your attention back. They are doing well? I confess I was a little sad not to see them again. I greatly enjoyed speaking with them in the gardens."
"Very well, thank you. They ask for more stories all the time, so you may get your chance." Kamir rose to walk him to the door, and Jader could not resist pushing him gently up against the wall and stealing a searing kiss. "Goodnight, my lord," Kamir replied, smiling mischievously when Jader stared in confusion.
Huffing as he belatedly understood the teasing, Jader stole another quick kiss then finally made himself let go. "Goodnight, my lord. I will see you later." He opened the door and left, though the back of his neck itched with the urge to turn around one last time—but if he did that, he'd go back, though Pantheon alone knew why Kamir was turning from a momentary pleasure to a growing obsession.
Back in the main parts of the palace, he put his mind back on the work he needed to be doing and swept off through the halls to his office.
Chapter Seven
Kamir braided his hair slowly, less out of a desire to make his hair look nice and more out of a need to delay the inevitable.
He'd dressed as I have no interest in being anywhere near you as he possibly could, but Theoren had never been very good at seeing the obvious, let alone the subtle.
Tucking the end out of sight and securing it with plain pins, he then added a few simple silver flower pins for decoration, matching them with dangling silver flower earrings studded with diamonds. His clothes were just as plain, dark hunter green with minimal black and silver touches.
He examined his appearance critically, and after a couple of minutes, nodded and stood. He was suitably dressed for dinner in the High Court, but coldly formal and stiff. If he dressed in such fashion to dine at the table of higher ranking nobles, it would rightfully be taken as an insult.
