After the War: Military Dystopian Thriller (Friends of my Enemy Book 2)

by Autumn M. Birt

  “Brackets, horseshoes, knives, and even a few swords.”

  “Really? Swords, that is ... remarkable. So why were you helping us plant then if you don’t have a farm?”

  “That’s what we do, the former soldiers. We help each other. I help at planting and harvest. It’s actually a nice break from the forge. Though, I guess I’m sort of a farmer ... I’m building a vineyard.”

  Tatiana really didn’t know what to think of Phillip anymore. “Grapes? Why?” she asked as they walked. The fields stretched into the dark in rows of crops growing well from days of midsummer sun beside them. Even at night the fields smelled of plants.

  Phillip stopped, staring at the dark road below his feet. “I ... found some roots from an old vineyard during the war. It must have been a massive winery at one time. A blast had blown a hole in the middle, and there were all of these exposed roots. My grandfather grew a few grapes so I knew the rootstock might survive. I gathered what I could and sent it home.

  “There are days,” he admitted, “that my elbow hurts too much to smithy. And that might grow worse in time. I just don’t know. So I’ve been cultivating the vines and learning about wine making. It’ll be something else for my future,” he said, looking at her with an earnest glance. When he finally looked away, he appeared embarrassed.

  She wished the night wasn’t so dark that she couldn’t tell if he’d blushed. She thought he might have. With a start, she realized how far they’d walked. “We should head back. It’ll be worse if they notice I’m gone and find me all the way down here.”

  “Yes, because you aren’t supposed to be with me,” he replied.

  “I don’t think I’m supposed to be running around the countryside at night with, or without, anyone!”

  They walked slowly toward the house side by side. “That’s it, though. I’m still not good enough in your aunt and brother’s eyes,” he said. Tatiana didn’t comment. “It isn’t because of what I do or my injury, but because they want more for you than what I have to offer.”

  “Phillip,” Tatiana began, stopping to face him. He took her hand.

  “No. I understand,” he said before she found any words. “I want more for you too. I know you go with your cousin to the balls. I couldn’t even dance with you ... I couldn’t hold you properly with my arm.”

  Tatiana felt she couldn’t breathe as tears stung her eyes. “I don’t want to disappoint them,” she confessed on an outrush of air.

  Phillip nodded though he kept her hand as they walked toward the farm. “Just tell me you have friends outside of that house?”

  “Yeah,” she answered. “I have you.”

  Chapter 23

  THE BARON VASQUEZ

  FAMILY

  Everything was fine, but Byran couldn’t shake the feeling everything was wrong. Outside, Isabella walked across Kesmere’s lawn to the edge of the formal garden, wearing a flowing sundress and wide brimmed, white hat. Cerilla broke from the dignified pace with which she endeavored to mimic her mother to chase after her brother, carefree as any child. It should have been a perfect summer afternoon. But Byran felt tied in knots inside.

  “You are making me regret inviting her over,” Derrick said, joining Byran in front of the window overlooking the back of the estate.

  “I’m glad you did. You and she getting along was something I always wished ... before,” Byran replied. Derrick had the decency not to sigh or leave in irritation. Byran couldn’t say he’d have the same tolerance. “Why did she come here last night? You never said.”

  “I told you she challenged me to gather information and look for leaks. Something happened, and she wanted to know if I knew any details,” Derrick explained.

  “Obviously something happened,” Byran said flatly. The sight of Arinna dressed for combat had made him uneasy all night. It had been a truth he had never thought to have witnessed. “Did she say what?”

  “No, I hadn’t learned much, and she only promised to tell me when I was correct,” Derrick replied. Byran felt the undertone of things left unsaid but did not question his friend. He didn’t have the energy for more revelations. Especially ones regarding Derrick and Arinna.

  “Pardon the interruptions, my lords. The Lady Grey has arrived. Shall I show her to the back garden?” the maid said from the doorway.

  “Do you want to see her in?” Derrick offered.

  “It’s your house; you should meet her,” Byran said, leaving to join his wife and children. This time, he did hear Derrick sigh.

  Byran waited in the shade next to the manor. Isabella was coming up the steps to join him when Derrick and Arinna emerged into the sun. Feeling outside of himself and his life, Byran watched his wife kiss Arinna on both cheeks in greeting, turning to call the children to meet the Lady Grey. Santi bowed, brown eyes too large for his young face. Cerilla managed a curtsey, but her eyes held curiosity at the woman standing before her who was so unlike her mother, down to the informal capris, sandals, and sleeveless blouse Arinna wore. Cerilla tugged at her skirt as if questioning the bulky material. Then Arinna’s sky blue eyes glanced over and found him. As always, he fell into them.

  “How are you today, Byran?” she asked, holding out a hand as he walked to her.

  “Well enough,” he said, trying to remember he stood in front of his wife and children. “I’m glad you could join us. I hope things are well?”

  Arinna glanced at the children, her gaze lingering before she replied, “They are at the moment. Let’s hope they remain so.”

  “Come,” Derrick said, claiming Arinna’s hand from Byran. “I promised you tea and sunshine.” He tucked her hand into his arm as he walked down into the garden toward a cozy table set with linen blowing in the afternoon breeze.

  “So you did. And it appears as if you took your task seriously, as usual,” she replied.

  “Well, considering you were wearing a sword when I said it, I thought that best.”

  Arinna’s mirthful glance toward Derrick was cut short by Cerilla prancing in front of them. “You have a sword?” she asked, softening her wistful expression after a furtive look at her mother.

  “I do. Actually, I have several,” Arinna answered Cerilla.

  “Would you show me ... us?” Cerilla asked, grabbing her brother’s hand and dragging him to her side. “We pretend to sword fight and would love to see a real one,” Cerilla added quickly, blushing.

  “If your mother and father are not opposed, I’ll see what I can do,” Arinna promised.

  Cerilla grinned, bobbing another curtsey as she stepped back into the forest shadows at the edge of the lawn.

  “Do you have a gun?” Santi asked as Derrick showed Arinna her seat.

  “I do. Several, actually,” she replied with an amused smile.

  “I read a story where the hero had a gun that shot lasers. You should do that,” Santi said.

  Arinna’s eyes glinted as she endeavored to keep a straight face. “We haven’t quite managed that yet, but I’ll let you know if we do,” she answered him.

  “Go play,” Isabella said in exasperation. Santi raced toward his sister as she took off ahead of him across the lawn.

  “I’m sorry if that upset you,” Arinna said, her gaze jumping between Isabella and Byran.

  “I didn’t realize how aware of the fighting and the war they were,” Isabella said quietly. “I almost think it affects them less than us.”

  “It is what they were born to and all they knew, but for the last few years. They’ve known more fighting than peace in their lives,” Arinna pointed out.

  Seeing the tears in his wife’s eyes sparked by Arinna’s words pressed Byran’s chest. He took Isabella’s hand, kissing it. The warm look she gave him was in thanks of more than a moment of comfort and more than he deserved. He could have sobbed. It was as if by touching her, Isabella’s grief for their children had passed to him and grown tenfold. Byran really did want his life set right again. Somehow.

  Afternoon tea was served, highlighted by
laughter between Arinna and Isabella, Derrick joining in. But not Byran, he watched, isolated even while sitting at the table with the three people he loved the most in the world as his children played nearby.

  “Really, a frisbee? Is that appropriate, my lord earl?” Arinna asked as her gaze caught on Santi and Cerilla. “Don’t you have a croquet set or something?”

  Derrick cast her a haughty look. “They didn’t find it here, I assure you,” he said dryly, which set both Arinna and Isabella giggling.

  “I wish I had met you sooner,” Arinna said, taking Isabella’s hand.

  “So do I. I might have felt less anxiety over the years,” Isabella said. She waved a hand as if to chase away an unwanted thought. “Is it such a surprise we get along when Byran loves us both? We are either opposites or have much in common.”

  Byran felt warmth flush him from head to toe, the heat lingering in some places longer than others. Isabella regarded her husband closely for a moment before turning to Derrick.

  “I believe you said you would explain the garden layout to me, Derrick. If you would be so kind, I would like to hear that,” Isabella said. Derrick stood, offering his arm to Isabella. Talking together, they walked away leaving Byran alone at the table with Arinna.

  “I am sorry I hurt you,” Arinna said once Derrick and Isabella were out of hearing.

  “I think it would be easier if you swore to never see me again,” he said without thinking.

  Arinna looked away, pressing her lips tight. “If that is what you want, I will do it. I will leave and not return. As selfish as it is, that is not what I want, though.”

  “Then why? What is it you want, Arinna? Tell me that. What do you expect me to do?”

  She hesitated a moment, before turning to speak to him with her eyes glistening from tears. “There was a time I would have chosen to be with you if ...” She turned away, Byran guessing that even now she couldn’t speak of losing her husband. Byran took her hand. Despite his anger, a desire to comfort her ran above all else.

  Arinna ran her fingers from her free hand across her cheek before continuing, “But now I see how hopeless it is. Not to be together,” she added quickly as Byran went to speak. “But because what we feel for each other couldn’t last the reality of being together. I love you, dearly, but I couldn’t live with you, Byran. I’m old enough to recognize that now. I know love is not enough to keep you faithful, and I could never tolerate that. You are so lucky to have Isabella. And I am lucky to have you. But it must be as a very cherished friend, or I fear we’d lose everything, even each other in the end.”

  Byran remained silent as she finished speaking, as she waited for him to say if she should leave or stay.

  “I hate how important the Guard is to you. It is worse than with Derrick,” he said. Her laughter caught on a sob in her throat.

  “That is exactly what I mean,” Arinna said, squeezing his hand before letting go. “It isn’t right we want to be with each other, but also want each other to change.”

  Byran chuckled, the vibration breaking something loose in his chest. “No, it isn’t. I am lucky. I know it. Maybe I’ll understand it in a few days.”

  “Do you want me to leave?” Arinna asked.

  “No. No, I don’t. And I am happy that you and Isabella get along and that you and Derrick ... get along very well.” Arinna blushed at the suggestion. For the first time, Byran smiled at that idea. It was not the reality he’d wanted, but it, as an alternative, was not horrible.

  “Please, Mama. Can we not see a sword fight?” Santi was pleading as Isabella and Derrick walked back to the table with both children in tow.

  “It is not up to me to say. I do not have a sword,” Isabella said in exasperation. “You must ask the Lady Grey.”

  Both children begged. Arinna glanced at Byran and Isabella. “If you would not mind?”

  “Maybe if you show them a few moves they will stop giving each other bruises and black eyes in their attempts,” Byran said.

  Arinna chuckled. “I cannot promise that. Actually, if you would do me the favor, my lord earl. I have heard that you are quite a skilled swordsman. If you have a sword, would you do me the honor?”

  Derrick, about to sit, froze flushing. “I would be honored,” he said, keeping his feet. “If you will give me a moment?”

  It took both of them a few minutes to gather equipment, Derrick retreating into the house and Arinna going to the stables to claim her sword from her horse. That fact rippled a bout of nerves through Byran, which, in turn, made him appreciate what she’d said more. The potentials she accepted as normal frightened him to no end.

  Despite casual attire and laughter as they walked side by side to a spot on the back lawn when they faced each other both fell to tense seriousness. With the slightest of salutes, Arinna and Derrick circled each other. Derrick moved in first, Arinna’s blade met his with a sharp clash. A few more moves initiated by either snapped through the air with a pause of a heartbeat between each.

  Byran knew little about sword fighting, but he could guess they were testing each other. Apparently, that part was quickly over. Arinna flashed forward, spinning away as Derrick blocked her thrust. He stepped after her, blade rocketing forward, steady and fast. Arinna wasn’t there. The sudden pace had Byran’s heart hammering and wishing very much his two friends wore something other than clothing fit for a summer’s afternoon. The concentration as Derrick and Arinna faced each other unnerved Byran, causing him to rethink the friendship that had grown between them. Surely they had not faked months of amiable companionship. With the quick jabs and feints accompanied by serious expressions as they danced around each other with lethal weapons ready, Byran felt unsure. Derrick had disliked Arinna for a much longer time than the spring’s friendship.

  But by what felt like sheer chance to Byran, both Arinna and Derrick never struck anything other than the other’s sword. Despite that, Byran was sweating as Arinna spun close to Derrick, ducked beneath his guard and stopped with her sword resting across his stomach. But it was the flat of her blade though that lay against his friend’s shirt. Arinna stood safely out of Derrick’s reach to his side and back.

  Santi and Cerilla didn’t need to see any more. Their brief clapping ended as they peeled across the lawn toward the forest, Byran certain they meant to make sticks into swords.

  “That was unconventional,” Derrick said, panting.

  “Are you surprised?” Arinna replied with a wicked grin that set Derrick smiling.

  “Not at all, the match is yours,” Derrick replied, bowing to her.

  “I am surprised. I would have thought you’d beat her,” a man standing on the stone patio overlooking the lawn said to Derrick. He wore the grey military uniform of the Guard, but his pose was far less rigid than his garment.

  Derrick’s surprise turned to a welcoming smile. “Captain Vries,” Derrick said. “I’m pleased to see you again.”

  “Lovely to know you would bet against me,” Arinna said as Captain Vries walked down to join them.

  “I would never bet against you, my lady. You’d have figured out some way to disarm him, I just didn’t think it would be so ... honest,” Captain Vries said to Arinna, shaking Derrick’s hand. “And it is Jared, assuming I can still call you Derrick.” Derrick assented with a nod.

  “Captain Vries, this is Baron Vasquez, his wife Isabella, and children. Well, the children are around,” Arinna said, shading her eyes as she realized their absence.

  “They’re looking for appropriate weapons. We won’t hear the end of their desire for sword fighting lessons, I fear,” Isabella replied. “Captain Vries, it is a pleasure.”

  Jared bowed over her offered hand, shaking Byran’s with an evaluating eye. Byran felt self-conscious of his lack of military service at that. But he caught amusement cross Derrick’s face, and the awkwardness passed.

  “They are about the same age as mine,” Jared said, nodding toward where Cerilla and Santi had emerged from the forest, each waving a
stout stick. Byran flashed Arinna a look at that, but her attention was not on him.

  “You have children, Captain?” Byran asked, remembering Arinna’s claim against marriage being allowed in the Guard.

  Jared replied with a smile, “Three though I think my partner wishes we’d stopped at one.”

  Arinna cast him an amused glance. “That is because you are not the one chasing them down every day. So I’ve been waiting to hear what this is about?” Arinna said to Jared.

  Jared shrugged. “We have some things to go over.”

  “Then we should leave if it is important enough that you didn’t wait in Rhiol.”

  Instead of nodding in agreement, Jared grinned, which set his green eyes dancing. Captain Vries was not anything like the military captain Byran had imagined, nor at all like the one Michael had been based on the times Byran had met Arinna’s late husband.

  “Your note said you were at Kesmere,” Jared replied. “I thought it an opportunity to see Derrick again. Otherwise, it could have waited a few more hours.”

  “Join us then, Captain,” Derrick offered.

  “Yes, join us. Perhaps for a demonstration? I could lend you my sword,” Arinna offered, her tight smile hinting at a challenge.

  “I think not. I know the earl will beat me.”

  “I’m out of practice,” Derrick protested.

  “See, I think he might be better than you,” Jared said to Arinna. She snorted. “Actually, Derrick is an excellent swordsman and your neighbor. It makes an attractive opportunity for you to practice while away from Prague.”

  Derrick blinked away surprise. “I would be honored if my lady so wishes it,” he hedged.

  Arinna didn’t glance toward Derrick. Her gaze remained locked on Jared’s, the two fighting just as assuredly as she and Derrick had with swords. Byran wasn’t certain how serious this fight was either. Arinna broke her gaze first, turning to Derrick with a practiced smile. “I’d be honored as well. We will have to work something out.”

  Chapter 24