by Megan Derr
"Lesto explained to you the situation in Benta?" When Kamir nodded, Sarrica said, "Resolutions are being discussed, but one has been finalized: a temporary marriage between Jader and a noble woman of Benta."
The papers Kamir had been holding slipped through his fingers, and he very nearly threw up the tea he'd drunk. "Oh. I see. Does that mean he's staying in Benta?" He slid awkwardly to the floor to retrieve the dropped papers—and froze as two large hands covered his own, took gentle hold of him, and got him back in his chair before Kamir could even draw breath to speak.
"Sit still." Sarrica gathered up the dropped papers and set them in a neat stack on the table beside Kamir's chair. He then refilled Kamir's cup and set a few sugared biscuits on a plate and thrust it into his hands before resuming his own seat. "Eat. Drink. You're far too thin for a man four months along."
Too bemused to do anything else, Kamir obeyed.
"I think you missed when I said temporary," Sarrica said. "They must stay married for a month and then they'll divorce. There will be straggling details to attend after that, but in seven to ten weeks, Jader should be home. If I know Allen, it will be seven. At which point Jader will be free to do as he pleases, assuming it pleases certain other parties to do the same thing." The smile on his face then was beyond Kamir's ability to interpret. "Which reminds me, I have one last thing for you." He reached into his jacket and then held out an envelope, Kamir's name written on the front. In Jader's handwriting. Heart clenching, Kamir took it and simply stared, terrified of what it might say.
Sarrica held out a last few pieces of papers. "Sign all these. They're simply the acknowledgement pages for all those papers I threw at you."
Kamir signed them without really paying attention, his mind entirely on the unopened letter.
Sarrica kept him there for another half hour, until Kamir ate enough food and drank enough tea to satisfy him. As he finished, Sarrica handed him another letter. "Reply at your leisure; you have enough to manage right now."
Finally dismissed, it took every scrap of control Kamir possessed not to run. By the time they finally made it home, he was ready to scream with frustration.
Thankfully the children were still with Bremm, and he was able to slip off to his room.
Sitting on the edge of his bed, Kamir stared at the letters. He opened the one from Sarrica first, laughing-crying to see it was a formal invitation to bring his children to spend time with the Imperial Prince and Princess. Pantheon, wouldn't Chiri and Chara love that. He would have to write a reply after lunch—whatever Sarrica said about 'at his leisure', nobody replied anything but promptly to the High King.
No longer able to avoid it, Kamir broke the seal on the second envelope and pulled out the letter—but several more minutes passed before he could bear to open the single sheet of paper within. Not a good sign. Jader liked to talk. His letters were normally at least two pages long, and more often four or five.
My Dearest Kamir,
I am sorry for all the terrible things you've suffered since aligning yourself with me. I was promised you would be protected in my absence, and I'm furious that Allen failed to keep that promise. If you will give me a second chance, I will do my best to make it up to you.
All I want is to come home to you. As of this writing, I don't know how much longer I'll be in Benta, but hopefully it will only be a matter of weeks.
I hope you and our child continue to do well. Have you any names in mind? I would like for the child to have both a Harken and Islander name, if you're amenable. I hope you are aware that eventually my mother will find out and she'll expect to meet you both, or Mother Ocean protect us.
Thank you for the watch—and, I suspect, the beautiful clock on my desk.
Be well.
Love,
Jader
Kamir burst into tears—then almost immediately swore as his tears smudged some of the ink. He set the letters aside before he could ruin the best part of the letter. Love.
Did Jader mean it? He'd never signed his letters so before, and given all that Kamir's letter had contained, it could not have been used idly.
The letter seemed too good to be true. Perhaps he really was in a dream, and would soon wake up and realize that, and be more despondent than he would ever overcome.
Standing, he stripped off his formal clothes and changed into something more comfortable, then returned helplessly to the bed to reread Jader's letter. He should have known Jader would figure out the desk clock had come from him. He'd been so pre-occupied with everything else, he'd forgotten all about that small detail.
Pantheon, what was he supposed to say? I've been pining after you like a halfwit for years. Kamir cringed. He would definitely have to find a better way to say it, or come up with something else entirely and hope Jader didn't press.
Retrieving his satchel, he pulled out all the papers Sarrica had given him and carried them to his writing desk to read properly. He still could not believe that after all the months of worrying… it was over. As simple as that. His children were once more safely and irrevocably his, there was no imperial order keeping him from Jader, and his family would never be allowed to trouble him again.
Part of him was annoyed the matters had been taken out of his hands. The custody and the disownment were his fights, no one else's. On the other hand, it was over and he had an invitation for his children to meet the Imperial Prince and Princess. It was hard to complain, even in his own head.
He sorted out the papers—and paused as he came to a set of three that were out of place, the writing across the top for a completely different filing than those mentioned. Imperial Order of Holding. Ordinary filings were listed by the kingdom. Rare was the case that went all the way to the imperial level, and even then, they were listed as Order of the Imperial Court or similar such phrasing. Imperial Order meant the High Throne had issued it, much like the one that forbade him marrying Jader.
Sarrica had ordered that Theoren stay away from him—permanently. And that should he violate the order, he would be in contempt of the High Throne and subject to, well, the fancy language really came to 'Sarrica's wrath'.
But Sarrica had also been shockingly generous in dictating that since the order meant Theoren essentially could not live in Harkenesten Palace or City, he was to be given compensation totaling three thousand crowns and a horse and supplies to help him out of the city. And he was to leave by no later than the end of the week.
Mercy of the Pantheon, no wonder people fought so hard to be in Sarrica's favor. One thing to know, another to know. Sarrica could move mountains when he felt like it, and it was more than a little disconcerting to be the one benefitting when the mountains were moved. Maybe Sarrica had never hated him, after all.
That didn't mean Kamir would be comfortable around any of them any time soon, but… well, maybe someday. He was willing to consider the possibility, at least.
Filing the papers away in his desk, Kamir went to find his children. They were just coming out of the schoolroom as he reached it. "Papa!" Chiri threw herself at him and hugged him tightly, but carefully, ever concerned about their unborn sibling no matter how much he reassured her a simple hug would not harm anyone. Chara hugged him as well, but before they could start in with their chatter and questions, Bremm stepped into the hall carrying books and papers in his arm. He smiled brightly when he saw Kamir. "Good afternoon, my lord."
"Not lord anymore," Kamir replied with a soft chuckle. "The disownment came through today, so I don't even have a surname at present."
Bremm's grin turned into a bit of a smirk. "Oh, now, the whole palace has been whispering it will be Star in a matter of months."
"How would you know? When were you last at the palace?" Kamir asked, lifting his eyes to the ceiling, barely holding back a smile himself because that would mean he was letting hope get the better of him. Love, Jader.
"You vastly underestimate how well Velina and Liana keep apprised of palace happenings," Bremm replied wryly. "My spouse pr
ides herself on the ability. Get her drunk enough and she'll tell you that she can do it better than even the High Consort."
Kamir laughed. "I see. But I don't think a marriage will be happening any time soon; it would be presumptuous in the extreme of me to assume such a thing."
Bremm nodded, but didn't look terribly convinced.
The children, meanwhile, had grown bored with being ignored and wandered outside to the courtyard to play with the ball Chara had been carrying.
"Children!" Kamir beckoned for them to come to him as he stepped outside. "Bremm, linger a moment, please." When the children reached them, he said, "I went to the palace today, and you'll never believe what the High King asked me."
Their eyes went wide. "You talked to the High King?" Chara asked, mouth dropping.
"What did he say? What did he say?" Chiri demanded, looking ready to scream or run around madly, she was all but vibrating in place.
"He asked if the two of you would like to go to the palace and play with Princess Bellen and Prince Nyla."
Chiri shrieked and Chara just stood with his mouth still open. Launching herself at Kamir, Chiri clung tightly and said, "Please, please, please, please, can we go play with them, Papa?"
"My darling, why do you act like I would tell you no? If I wanted to say no, I would have. Of course you can go play with them. Chara, do you want to?"
Chara bobbed his head up and down rapidly.
Kamir kissed them both. "Then I'll write to His Majesty to arrange it. How about you go start picking out what toys you want to take along."
"Won't they have toys?" Chara asked.
"Lots of them, no doubt." Kamir smiled and tucked back a stray curl, smile widening when Chara made a face and shook his head so the curls tumbled all about. "But you should bring one or two of your own to show that you want to share and be fair, not just expect to play with their stuff and not let them play with yours."
"Oh." Chara smiled. "That makes sense. Thanks, Papa."
"Run along, then—and not more than three apiece. I'm not dragging the entire playroom to the palace!"
Given the way they were running, and the looks they were sharing, he doubted they'd heard a word. But that was a problem to be sorted later.
"That is quite the invitation, my lord," Bremm said, looking more wide-eyed than the children had. "I know for a fact they've never invited other children to play, though gentle nudges have been made by at least half of those at court who have children."
Kamir spread his hands. "I don't know what provoked the invitation, except perhaps the evening I spent chatting with Princess Bellen. I hope it works out. "
"Well I think you will soon have more invitations than any of us can handle," Bremm replied. "I think tomorrow would be a good day to refresh on etiquette? Not that your children ever really need those lessons."
"Ha. I appreciate the lie, sir, but it is a lie."
Bremm grinned. "They've never thrown ink in my face or informed me imperiously they will tattle to their father that I'm making them do their numbers over."
Kamir lifted his eyes to the sky. "I bet I can guess—"
"Kamir."
Whipping around, ice sliding down his spine, Kamir stared at Theoren standing in his courtyard. "What in the Pantheon are you doing here? There is an imperial order of holding in place, and you should damn well know the penalties for breaking it."
Putting on his best charming, sympathy-inducing expression, Theoren replied, "I wanted a chance to talk to you without all the noise and nosiness of the palace. Without your parents interfering."
Kamir barely noticed as Bremm slipped away, eyes only for the snake in his yard. "I have no desire to talk to you. Leave now and I won't have you arrested."
Trying for pleading, Theoren took a few steps closer. "Kamir, you have to know I only did all that because I had no choice. I'm glad you get to keep the children."
Kamir said nothing.
The barest hint of anger flickered in Theoren's eyes, but he must have been truly desperate because he tamped down on it. "I've only ever wanted what's best for you, Kamir."
Kamir started laughing hysterically, tears stinging his eyes. "What's best for me? I was sixteen. I had children when I was nineteen. I put up with neglect and abuse from you for three years. Even when I was pregnant, you still left me hungry and often bruised. What, in any of that—"
Theoren snarled and moved before Kamir could react, slamming him into the wall so hard Kamir's head ached. "You're still a snotty little—"
A roar of anger was all Kamir heard before Theoren was yanked away. Kamir sank to his knees, legs trembling too much to keep him standing.
Charlaine had Theoren on the ground. "I'll see you hanged for this."
"You can't—" Theoren's words were lost as Charlaine shoved his face into the dirt.
"Where are the children?" Kamir asked.
"Bremm is keeping them distracted in the playroom." Charlaine looked up. "You should have come straight to me. What in the Penance Realms were those fucking gates doing unlocked?"
Kamir shivered. "I'm sorry. I ordered them unlocked so it would be easier for the deliveries we're expecting for the gardens."
Charlaine grunted and finished binding Theoren's hands and legs. He hauled him to his feet and shook him hard. "You will be damned lucky if you don't hang for this. About the only reason you won't at this point is if Kamir pleads for your life."
"I haven't committed a hanging offense," Theoren snarled.
"You were issued an imperial order to stay away from Lord Kamir—"
"He's not a lord anymore."
"That's beside the point and you damn well know it. You were ordered to stay away from him, and warned you would suffer whatever punishment His Majesty saw fit to issue should you violate the order. Lord Kamir is beloved of the High Commander, friends with the High King and Consort, pregnant with the High Commander's child, and his children have a play date with the imperial prince and princess. And you assaulted him—in front of the Second Lieutenant of Fathoms Deep, no less. Say again that you have not committed a hanging offense."
In reply, Theoren said nothing, though he looked damned close to actually crying. That wasn't something Kamir had ever thought him capable of, even as an act.
"Why did you come here, Theoren? Tell me the truth. One lie or attempt to charm me and I'll let Charlaine do whatever he wants."
Anger and hate filled Theoren's face, but he said, "Money."
"His Majesty granted you three thousand crowns in compensation."
Theoren scoffed. "A laughable amount given what he's demanding of me."
Kamir sighed. "Three thousand crowns is more than enough to live on if used smartly, and you know it. You must be in debt to some seriously dangerous people if you would still come to me for money after all that's transpired. I guess Lord and Lady Tesly were smart enough not to pay you until the job was done. Too bad for you."
Theoren started laughing, sharp-edged and bitter. "Your parents? Oh, excuse me, your former parents. They don't have money either. Why do you think they wanted to bother with you? It was the only chance they stood of getting money. Your sister is being fined so heavily she may have to leave Shadow Bell. Your brother is running the estate into the ground, and your parents…" His laugh turned mean. "Well, they will not be living in the palace for much longer. The deal was to get you married and split the money we extracted from you and your new spouse. But as per usual, you prove to be stubborn and useless."
Charlaine cuffed him so hard Theoren yelped.
"I see," Kamir said, feeling only weariness. He'd known Theoren was after money, but his family? They'd attempted to threaten and frighten him into crawling back to them and getting married because they were one step from destitute? How had they managed to pay his allowance for so long? But of course they had, because they'd rather die than ever make him aware they were running out of money.
"What do you want me to do with him?" Charlaine asked quietly.
Kamir stared at Theoren, the desperation and fear etched into his face, the pleading look. His shoulders still hurt where Theoren had grabbed him, his head aching where it had slammed into the wall. Theoren had attacked him without a second thought or any show of remorse—and while Kamir was visibly pregnant.
Part of him wanted to say let Theoren go, anyway. But he'd given Theoren a thousand chances.
"The imperial order said that if he disobeyed, he was the High King's problem. Deliver him to the High King."
Theoren shrieked. "I was honest! You said—"
"I only said what I'd do if you weren't honest. I never promised anything for your honesty." Kamir rested a hand on his stomach, thoughts flitting to the letter in his bedroom. "I'm done—with you, my parents, all of it. I won't live the rest of my life dreading that moment when you creep out of the dark again. All you had to do was leave and never bother me again. You defied the order, so you'll face the punishment you were promised. Goodbye, Theoren."
He turned and walked slowly back into the house, closing the door firmly to muffle Theoren's screams and sobs. Guilt clawed at him and bile burned the back of his throat, but he wouldn't go back on his decision.
Taking the long way around, he stepped into the kitchen, where Velina immediately motioned for him to sit at the enormous work table that took up the middle of the room. "I can't believe the nerve! I saw him just as Charlaine came out like a raging Penance beast. Mother Ocean have mercy, I hope we are done with him once and for all now."
"I think we are," Kamir replied, and thanked her for the tea set in front of him.
She folded her arms across her chest and glowered at him. "I've waited long enough. You tell me right now what that commander of yours said about the baby."
"Maybe I haven't gotten a chance to read his letter yet. I have been busy—"
"You tell me now!" she shrieked, and playfully thwacked his knuckles with the cooking spoon she was holding.
Kamir laughed. "He asked if I had any names in mind, and warned me I would probably have to meet his mother at some point because she'd want to see me and the baby."
Velina screamed and darted around the table to hug him tightly. "I knew he'd be pleased! I bet he's telling everyone and being completely tiresome about it." She hugged him again and kissed his cheek. "And warning you of his mother—practically a marriage proposal, that. Nobody meets the matriarchs idly. At the very least he's declared you are family, and not simply because you're having his child, so don't try that."
