Divided

by Rae Brooks

“Taeru.” The light faded into the distance, and Calis pulled back, staring blankly into Taeru’s face as tears continued to pour. Then, with the tiniest flash of blue, Calis pressed his lips to the soft, still cold ones.

  “Freedom from duty, and the power to see, were at last the first prince’s, and he was at last the second prince’s. Happiness is always the final reward.”

  -A Hero’s Peace v.ii

  Epilogue

  Calis Tsrali

  C

  alis extended a hand into the carriage, trying to be delicate as Lee pulled himself out of the door to the side of him. This sun would be filled with uncertainty to be sure. The land itself was filled with it, as far as the sun could reach, unfamiliarity and unsteadiness. The hand that reached into his own was evidence enough of that. Her gloved hand was unsure, but he offered her a smile and nod as she emerged from the carriage. “How do you feel, my lady?” he asked her gently.

  The hazel eyes were filled with worry, but she raised her chin and offered a quick nod. “Well—thank you, my lord,” she replied briskly. Her dress was marvelous, all sparkling and shimmering pink. It still fluffed outwards, as all the dresses of noblewomen did, but this one was very pleasing to stare at, Calis thought. Her hair was all done up with ornaments that sparkled in the sun. Claudia ought to be proud, though she was doubtlessly devastated that she couldn’t come. Therefore, she couldn’t check to ensure everything about Lady Avyon’s appearance was perfect.

  “I dare say you’re lying,” he teased. She frowned up at him and stared forward as she stepped away from the carriage. She linked her arm through his, and he could feel the way she rested on him for support.

  She responded honestly, as was her way in times when she could no longer contain herself. “I am concerned. Arranged marriages are always frightening,” she murmured. He offered a quirk of his head, and he nodded.

  “It will be alright.”

  “As you say,” she agreed softly.

  Lee took a step beside him, and their eyes met with a glimmer of amusement. “Cathalar,” Lee said, with a bit of a grandiose tone, “the city of Light and love.” His words were teasing, though he seemed a little taken aback by the foreign land.

  The entrance of Cathalar had been so inviting, so unlike Telandus, that it had jarred Calis to the very core. Even the middle class sector, what they’d seen of it as they’d ridden the path to the castle, was filled with large buildings, plenty large enough for families to live happily. It truly was a lovely place, he thought. A nice one to live in—to wed in, perhaps. “It certainly is no Telandus,” Calis said cheerfully.

  “Pity, that,” Lee said dryly. Telandus was certainly nothing to attempt to mimic, though Cathalar was another story. Despite its obvious shortcomings, as seen in the differences of the classes, it was a lovely place. Somewhere that happiness seemed to truly exist, Calis thought. What a novel idea. Or perhaps… not so novel. A smile touched his lips as he escorted the lady on his arm towards the castle.

  A few guards accompanied him as well, though not many. Calis had insisted on a rather small entourage, after all, if these negotiations were to go well, he couldn’t look as though he was prepared to set fire to the place. Anxiety ran up his spine as he thought of what was to come, of what he anticipated doing. The Cathalari castle was not the massive eyesore that the Telandan castle had been. It was majestic, authoritative, but not frightening. Closer to what a castle ought to be, he thought.

  The guards of Cathalar stepped in front of him as he neared the castle gate. “Prince Calis Tsrali,” one of them spoke with a respectful bow. “Lord Keiichi, Lady Avyon,” the man was knowledgeable, and he regarded each of them by name. “You are welcome in the Lassau castle.”

  The name sent a shudder up Calis’s spine, and he nodded his head in thanks. Krystal bit down on her lip, but she offered a curtsy of her own. Lee, for his part, barely acknowledged the man. Calis sighed as they moved past the front gates, towards the front courtyard, which held a fountain and flowers. “It’s lovely,” Lady Avyon murmured. She glanced at Calis to get his approval, as usual. Calis just nodded mild agreement.

  They were greeted by another set of guards as they entered the castle. Even the entryway was more welcoming than the Telandan castle’s, though that would not have been entirely difficult, considering Lavus had sent people screaming from his entryway. “You are about to meet our rival king,” Lee informed him, as if Calis hadn’t already known. “I do hope you brought your charm with you.”

  “I always bring my charm with me,” Calis assured. Lee offered a skeptical smirk in response. Truth be told, though, Calis’s body was bristled with nerves, apprehension, and anxiety. Far more emotions than he usually felt with these sorts of events. He knew why, though, and there was no question about that.

  This was a rather important negotiation. Much more so than anything he’d done in his time at Dokak. As they walked down the corridors of the immaculate castle, the marble floors created a sense of openness, another direct contradiction to Telandus. Lady Avyon continued to look around, somewhat awed by what she saw—though perhaps somewhat was an understatement. She even murmured her approval a few times. There were many more windows in the Cathalari castle, as well, Calis noted.

  At last, they reached the teak doors of the throne room. They sat before him, with ornate silver handles, decorated lavishly. Calis took a deep breath, and when one of the Cathalari men looked at him, he nodded his head. There was no sense putting this off, as it would have been rather odd for him to stand outside the throne room of Veyron Lassau for very long. The throne room was long, much like Lavus’s. Though, the throne at the top had smaller thrones to either side of it, and the staircase before it was much longer.

  The floor that led up to the throne, including the stairs, was covered in a deep blue carpet. The largest throne was silver, while the others were a sort of pale gray. Veyron had stood upon Calis’s entrance, and Calis nodded his respects. The man was broad, tall, and dark. His mouth was framed with a neat goatee, and his hair was cropped short and practical. His clothes were less so, with adornments of silver and blue, even a few gemstones dotted his large shoulders. A cape dropped down his back, a fantastic mix of silver and blue. His boots were gray, as were his gloves, and the crown on his head was the same color as their crest—a sapphire along the center and done in silver.

  Calis’s eyes could not focus on these things, however, as they were immediately drawn to another point in the room. Veyron’s children, Ryo and Aela, stood before the other chairs in the room. Yet, all that mattered to Calis, as if gravity shifted to the one point, was the small form leaning against the side of Ryo’s chair. Calis’s eyes met his, those pure blue orbs, and Calis smiled an absurdly warm and happy smile, as a thousand different feelings rushed into his chest.

  Taeru’s face twisted into an unintentionally charming glare, and his eyes moved towards his father, signaling that Calis was being disrespectful. How did anyone watch Veyron, though, when Taeru was here? He wore the least of all the children. Aela and Ryo wore heavily adorned garments, Aela a soft, flowing blue dress and Ryo a silver armor, with a very light cape that draped over his shoulder.

  Taeru, though, was wearing only a deep, blue uniform, with silver buttons and piping. He had silver boots that his pants were shoved into, and gloves that disappeared up into his sleeves. He was impossible to look away from. Somehow, though, from much blue-eyed urging, Calis managed. The flush on Taeru’s cheeks deemed well worth it. From the corner of his eye, Calis noticed Ryo elbow his brother suggestively.

  “Calis Tsrali,” Veyron spoke then, and he appeared not to have noticed the way Calis had just ogled his son. “You come here with your offer of peace, I presume?” the man asked, and his voice contained respect Lavus’s never had. His brown eyes shifted towards his youngest son for only a moment after he’d spoken.

  “I do, your grace, and I immensely appreciate the opportunity to speak it before you.” He nodded his sincerity, and Veyron returne
d the nod.

  “Understand, boy, that Telandus has long since been an enemy. Someone whom we have vied for power with. You may not be the ruthless ruler that your father was, but that does not mean that forgiveness can be so easily acquired. Trust… not so easily gained.” Again, the brown eyes eased to his flushing son.

  Calis just nodded his agreement with this issue. Hopefully, what he had to say this sun would resolve any worries Veyron had about the kingdoms’ differences. “I understand. We were, after all, on the brink of war. However, Telandus is well aware that she has not done well at acquiring allies. Where better to start than with her greatest enemy?” His words were soft, calm. “We are wounded. And, what we have retained, we know that we owe to your sons’…” Two brown eyes burned into him, indignant, and Calis smiled, “…and daughter’s strength.” His eyes moved to Ryo, who offered him a nod. Next, they found Aela, who raised her chin and gave him a chiding expression. “And bravery.” His eyes shifted to Taeru, and he was rewarded with a soft smile.

  “Indeed,” Veyron agreed. He was cold, though, and Calis could sense the hostility that had built within this man from years of being raked over the coals for a war that ought never have come near to happening. “So understand, while giving aid may be possible—we are not sure how a truce can be made.”

  A smile eased onto Calis’s lips, but he shook his head at once. This seemed to silence Veyron, and effectively confuse him. Calis worked best when his opponents were confused. “Oh, I am well aware of this, your majesty. I come here to offer an incentive to help us in our time of need.” Veyron’s eyes flashed with concern.

  “Incentive?” Veyron echoed, obviously trying to see how the word tasted in his mouth. Calis let it settle for a moment, and then he nodded his head.

  This was going to be a simple negotiation, indeed, if Veyron had expected Calis to request anything from Cathalar—well, his eyes moved to Taeru, he supposed he was doing that. “At one point, Telandus and Cathalar lived in peace. In light of recent events, I want to return to that time. And there is only one way I can think to do this.” He removed his family crest from his neck and laid it on the first step up to the throne as he knelt. “I would formally renounce Telandus to your rule, Veyron Lassau, gifting your very capable kingship to my land so gravely in need of it. I am aware that your misgivings in the past have been fear of rebellion with such a distant land, but understand that the people of Telandus know they owe Cathalar a great deal, and they know that they were robbed of proper rulership for years. They need a capable king.”

  Veyron let out a breath, entirely shocked. He sputtered for a moment, which Calis got the impression didn’t happen often. “And what of you?” Veyron finally managed to ask. “Should you renounce your good name?”

  “I am willing to completely renounce my claim to rule, though I would prefer my name not be spat upon by Telandan and Cathalari alike,” he said. Oddly enough, Veyron smiled at this. Calis burned with desire to see the look on Taeru’s face, surely he was surprised. They had talked of peace before Taeru had returned to Cathalar after the incident, but Calis had been careful not to reveal too much of what he intended. Taeru had needed much attention in ways other than political awareness. Calis’s cheeks flushed at the thought. Taeru still needed that attention he thought, very much—especially in that bloody uniform.

  After a few moments, Veyron’s voice broke the silence of the room. “Very well, Prince Tsrali—you may keep your good name, and I will accept your offer. Telandus will come under Cathalari rule, and we will treat her land and citizens as our own because they will be our own. We will need further declaration, however, that your land will not falter.”

  Calis stood, offering a smile. “Of course,” he said, “an alliance ought to come with an assurance, and while I have no Tsrali women to offer you, there is a rather beautiful woman, whose family holds much wealth and position in my land, and I would gladly offer her to your eldest son—should he agree.”

  Extending a hand backwards, he gestured for Lady Avyon. She stepped forward, worried and unsteady, though her eyes were pinned on Ryo. “Lady Avyon, your grace,” she offered a quick curtsy. She clearly found him rather attractive. Calis tried to suppress his smile. He ought to become some sort of matchmaker—no, probably he shouldn’t.

  Ryo was gawking at the lady, though, mouth ajar, and uncertainty written across his face. Veyron turned to his son expectantly. “Ryo, would you accept this beautiful young lady as your bride to seal this alliance?”

  Ryo was standing there, staring at Lady Avyon as though he was staring at some sort of goddess. She was rather pretty, and he seemed to be having trouble collecting himself. He swallowed, over and over, and his mouth twitched as he tried to form words. “I… ah… ah… y-y—Lady Avyon?” He sounded as though he no longer spoke the language of the land.

  With a playful shove, Taeru stepped up and eased his brother forward. Calis could hear the low whisper of his voice, perhaps because he was so aware of Taeru. “Go on, then, brother,” Taeru breathed.

  Naturally, Ryo staggered a little bit, casting a wary glance back at his brother, but then his body straightened and he nodded. He stepped down, taking the first few steps without grace, and then finding it halfway down the stairs. When he reached the bottom, Krystal was waiting for him with curious eyes. Calis smiled, raising his eyebrows as he glanced up at Taeru. Taeru looked positively shocked, as though he were about to run down the stairs and hug Calis. Calis wished he would.

  At last, Ryo reached Lady Avyon, slowly staring at her. She extended her hand, gradually, weakly, and oddly enough, she looked a little like she worried he might reject her. Then, he took her hand and kissed it softly. She smiled. He turned to Veyron, then. “I accept,” he said definitely. Veyron nodded his approval, and Ryo led Lady Avyon slowly up the stairs. Calis and Lee exchanged a glance of approval, and then Lee offered an encouraging grin. Calis found that words deserted him, though, when he really needed them. It had all seemed so easy up until now.

  His mouth opened, and then it closed again, and he was sure that he was never going to get these words out. A glance at Taeru, and his mind and heart were spinning so fast that he knew he had no choice, though. “I… but… I do ask… I do have… one small request, in return…” Why did that sound so pathetic, Calis wondered?

  “And that is?” Veyron asked.

  Taeru. The boy who had nearly died—had died—saving Elyst from certain destruction. The boy that was capable of everything except taking care of himself. And the boy that Calis had fallen utterly and irreversibly in love with. The one that he knew he couldn’t live without. The two phases that Calis had been without Taeru had been painful, even knowing that he would see him again. The waiting had been an ache that he couldn’t rid himself of, even as he focused himself on repairing the torn lands of his city.

  Taeru had been forced to go back to Cathalar, though Calis didn’t think he was entirely opposed, by his sister and brother. He had apparently been welcomed back with more than open arms, and Calis was glad, though he hoped Taeru hadn’t become too comfortable. He wanted Taeru to be happy, and if he was happiest surrounded by his family, then Calis wanted nothing more than for him to be here.

  However, that would cause Calis a large deal of anguish. He would just have to hide that fact from Taeru, though, and find as many reasons to come to Cathalar as he could. Cathalar was such a lovely city, it only made sense that Taeru had come from it. It suited him, truthfully, though nothing would ever match the flawlessness that was Taeru Lassau completely, and Calis knew that. Lying in that grove, kissing Taeru as the boy regained consciousness to the onslaught of questions of how he was still alive burned through Calis like an endless flame.

  The Magisters had done that, and Calis knew that, thinking back on the words in his head. Taeru was alive because he had paid the price for the Magisters’ failing, and now he was back. Now, he was alive, and he was still everything Calis wanted and needed. He was irresistible, inside and
out. From his infinite blue eyes, messy, black hair, and small form to his charm, his innocence, and his selfless courage—he was what Calis needed. That was why Calis had to make this request. To Taeru and to his father.

  Calis drew breath, as his thoughts renewed his desire to speak the words. His eyes were glued to Taeru, those dimples appearing on the boy’s cheeks, and Taeru regarded Calis with a skeptical smile. “I… request your youngest son’s freedom… I… ask… for your youngest son.” His words caused a hot red to rush to his cheeks.

  Veyron’s eyes turned to Taeru, and Calis couldn’t help but stare right along with him. Taeru had every right to refuse, and Calis wasn’t sure he wouldn’t. Perhaps he would stay out of some sense of duty, or perhaps he would be too embarrassed to do anything. After all, they were both men. Calis didn’t know, but panic and nervousness pulsed through him as he stood there, watching those curious blue eyes and bright red cheeks.

  “Taeru?” Veyron asked softly, and the room hushed as they waited for Taeru’s response. Aela was staring at him, her eyes wide with anticipation, and Ryo had the slightest of smirks on his face.

  Finally, very reservedly, Taeru nodded his head in assent. “I want this, Father. More than anything.” His words were so powerful, though, and they even broke through Calis’s tension and forced a smile onto his face. “If you will have it.”

  Veyron turned to him, and the brown eyes burned with admiration as they appraised his son. He offered a nod, but then he held up a hand. “Taeru, you should know that you are always welcome here. The man your mother conceived you from was my brother. He begged for a son before he died, even knowing that he was ill, and that he wouldn’t be able to care for it. He wanted the son. I authorized it, because I loved my brother. And I promised him that you would always be my son, and you always will be, Taeru Lassau. You have the same right to this kingdom as any member of this family.”