by K. C. May
Feanna touched Trevick’s shoulder. “Watch the girls for a minute, will you? I want a word with someone.”
The Viragon Sister had ducked out of view, but when Feanna rounded a corner, she found the battler leaning against a wall, cleaning her nails with the point of her knife. Her surprise was quickly masked with indifferent nonchalance.
“Edan sent you to protect us while we tour the city, didn’t he?” Feanna asked.
The swordswoman blinked and stammered.
“We don’t look wealthy enough to rob, and few people know that Gavin’s courting me. There’s really no need for you to follow us, is there?”
“Uh... no, m’lady, but I can’t simply leave you unguarded. Edan would send me packing back to Sohan.”
“Then why not walk with us? The children and I would love someone familiar enough with the city to point out the sights.”
“Well, you see, I...” She bowed her head. “I was given strict instructions to be discreet. Obviously I’ve failed.”
“Then you’ve nothing to worry about,” Feanna said with a smile. “I won’t mention to anyone that I’ve noticed you, and I’ll ask the children to keep your secret too. I’m Feanna.” She offered her hand, and the swordswoman shook it. Feanna shifted and sensed the other woman’s curiosity and excitement but no hint of the embarrassment her words had suggested.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name’s Cirang.”
Chapter 39
When they passed through Saliria, Gavin was sorely tempted to pause to see Feanna. In the long moments of silence during their journey, he’d thought about her often, wondering whether her father was alive. Gavin would like to have a word with him about his daughter’s future once he proposed to Feanna. He decided, though, that the more responsible thing would be to vanquish Ritol first and then talk of the future, since he had none while that task remained undone. If he survived it, then he could plan his forever after.
For the last few miles outside Tern’s city gates, they encountered farmers leaving the city with their wagons empty or nearly so. The sun had begun to set behind them, and markets would be emptying of both merchants and customers. He looked forward to a meal of whatever meat was on hand, and maybe some of that wine the innkeeper kept in his cellar, followed by a long, hot bath. Daia would undoubtedly have her bath first, but a woman’s priorities were often backward.
As they entered the city, a child who’d been sitting atop the outer wall climbed down and ran across the street toward the lordover’s soldier station.
“Gavin,” Daia said. Her voice was quiet like a warning.
He saw them too — two mail-clad men wearing the lordover’s red and black livery stepped out of the building and looked around, finally resting their eyes upon Gavin and Daia. One flipped a coin, flashing in the sunset’s orange glow, before the child caught it and ran off. The armsman barked a command, and two more emerged. All four armsmen mounted their awaiting horses. Two approached from the front and the other two waited. Gavin pulled his glove onto his sword hand and shifted Golam’s reins to his other so he could be ready to draw if the need arose.
“Fight?” she asked.
A few months ago, Gavin would have had his sword drawn before she’d even asked the question. Now he shook his head. These were his own men. They just didn’t know it yet.
“Are you Gavin Kinshield?” one asked.
He decided to play innocent. “I am. Is there a problem?”
The armsman who’d spoken gestured to the two others, who trotted off toward the lordover’s keep. “We’ve been sent to escort you. If you please.” He wheeled his mount and led the way northward. “Make way!” he shouted to the people on the street. The other soldier took up the rear.
Gavin blinked in surprise. He’d expected to be arrested on entering the city, but the armsmen had never demanded they disarm. People stopped to stare at them as they followed the lordover’s man.
“What’s this about?” Daia asked softly.
“I was thinking to ask you the same.” To his surprise, they were escorted directly to the Elegance Inn rather than to the lordover’s compound. There the armsmen bowed, conveyed the lordover’s warmest regards, and left.
The two Sisters guarding the inn approached. “Welcome home, sire,” Hennah said as she took Golam by the bridle and rubbed his thick neck. When the warhorse reached for her ear, she flinched, letting out a whoop of surprise.
“Good to see you’re not in gaol.” Gavin shot her a playful smile as he dismounted. “Don’t mind Golam. He’s a big flirt. Likes to nuzzle ladies’ ears.”
Daia dismounted and handed Hennah the reins of her mount. “Any trouble with the lordover?”
“He did come storming over here with some of his soldiers, but Lord Edan straightened matters out.”
“Is Edan here?” Gavin asked as he untied his pack from the saddle.
“Yes, my liege. He’s inside, reading. Anya arrived with a wagon-load of books from Sohan.”
“Good. See to the horses, will you?” He put a hand on her shoulder.
“Of course, my liege.” She started toward the stable with both horses in tow.
As Golam walked past, Gavin patted his gray rump then took the four stairs in two steps. As expected, he found Edan hunched over a book while he scribbled on a sheet of paper, several books stacked on the table around him.
Edan stood and greeted them. “You’re back sooner than I expected.”
The innkeeper scurried to bring water and wine, then promised to deliver fresh bread and warm meat shortly.
Although Gavin’s arse was sore from the long ride, he fell into a chair. “Did my brother and his family get here?”
“They did,” Edan said, “though Rogan’s not pleased. He broods worse than you do.”
Gavin looked around, but there was no sign of Rogan, Liera or their three sons. “Where are they?”
“They decided to stay with Liera’s relatives instead. Dona and Nasharla went with them, don’t worry. You missed some interesting developments.”
Good. Ravenkind wouldn’t likely know where to find Liera’s family members. “You find anything interesting in those books?”
“Interesting, yes. Helpful? Not so much,” Edan said. “I’ve only started going through them, though.”
“I heard the lordover came calling.”
“I had to tell him. Sorry, Gav.”
“Did he threaten you?” Daia sat one arse cheek on the table and crossed her arms.
“He tried, but he sang another song when I reminded him that I work for the king whose authority supersedes his own. However, I did manage to barter the information for the Rune of Protection that Ronor Kinshield found with Queen Calewen.”
The words were like a fist slamming into Gavin’s gut. From deep within his ancient memory, an image of the rune, clutched in Queen Calewen’s lifeless and bloody palm, clawed its way to his consciousness. Though the rune had protected her from magical attacks, it had no power to protect her from death itself.
“Since he was going to find out anyway,” Edan said, “I thought the rune was a shiny coin worth the price.”
Gavin rubbed his temple, trying to push the image of the dead queen out of his mind. “Do you have it?”
“He wanted to deliver it directly to you. I suspect he’ll be along anytime.” Edan looked him over. “As eager as I am to hear what you’ve learned, I can wait until you’ve washed.”
“I’ll eat first,” Gavin said.
“Trust me, Gav. You’ll want to bathe first. You’ve a few more visitors from Saliria, and you don’t want to smell the way you do when they return. They’re touring the city.”
“Feanna?” Gavin asked, standing. “She’s here?”
“Quite a charming lady,” Edan said. “You sure know how to choose them. The two young ones couldn’t be any sweeter. Iriel often sits on the steps outside with the Sisters to watch for beyonders, and Trevick has been helping around the stable, shoveling dung and b
rushing horses.”
“Why’re they here? Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong, but I’ll let her tell you her reason for coming. They should be back any minute.”
Gavin took the stairs three at a time, calling for hot bathwater on his way.
When Gavin stepped out of the bathing room, freshly shaved, scrubbed nearly raw from head to toe, and dressed in clean clothes, Edan was sitting alone in the dining hall, reading. Gavin’s heart sank. “She’s not back yet?” he asked as he joined his friend at the table.
“Any minute now, I’m sure,” Edan replied with a grin. He closed the book he’d been reading. “Have a seat and tell me about your travels, starting with your very interesting visit in Saliria.”
Gavin ran quickly through the events, knowing he had little time to summarize before Feanna and the children returned. He would have time later to answer Edan’s questions in detail. Daia walked in carrying a jingling mass of silver.
“I thought perhaps you wouldn’t have time to get your new armor once Miss Feanna returned, so I picked it up for you. Let’s try it on.”
He stood, and Daia helped pull it over his head and shoulders. Though the new armor suit was handsome and fit well, he wasn’t used to the weight or bulk, not to mention the loudness of its movement. The hauberk reached his midthigh when he stood straight. “At least it covers the royal gems,” he said, looking down at himself.
Edan grinned. “We have to ensure an heir, after all. How does it fit?”
“Well enough, I guess.” He took his sword to the center of the room and made a few practice swings. “Doesn’t bind.”
“Good. Thodas said to let him know if it needs adjustment. He can add or remove links to improve the fit.”
“He did a good job measuring.” Gavin lunged and reached with his sword, spun and sliced. “It’s loud, though.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Daia said.
He resheathed his sword and pulled the hauberk off with her help. “I’m afraid to ask what it cost.”
She took it from him. “Don’t. I’m going to bathe. I’ll set it in your room on my way.” She headed upstairs.
Gavin sat back down and leaned Aldras Gar against the table. “The Lordover Tern’s going to be mighty red when he gets the bill.”
Edan gaped. “That was her plan? To send the bill to her father?” He put a hand to his brow and shook his head. “Hell’s bones. I thought she was going to give the armorsmith a marker.”
Small voices carried from the inn’s great hall, along with light footsteps on slate floors. Feanna’s two youngest girls, the blond Jilly and dark-haired Tansa, rounded the corner, each carrying a small rag doll. Gavin stood and called to them, smiling.
“Lord Gavin!” they cried in unison and ran to him. He squatted to receive their embraces and planted a kiss on each girl’s cheek.
Iriel came in next and greeted him with a smile and quick curtsy. “Is Miss Daia back too?”
“Yeh, she’ll be down in a bit.”
Then Feanna entered the hall, her honey-colored hair gently windswept. Her eyes widened when she saw him, and a smile lit up her face. Gavin didn’t think about the proper way to greet the lady he’d only recently begun courting. He let his heart guide his body and took her into his arms. His mind knew in some distant way that this was not proper, appropriate behavior for a king, especially with an audience, but it felt natural. Instead of resisting his embrace, she clung to him as tightly, pressing her cheek against his. He drew back and found her lips. She opened to him, and he tasted her hungrily. Her hand stroked his hair as their tongues entwined and danced. Deep in his throat, a moan began, echoing the longing in his heart, his soul, and his groin. He wanted her in every way, more deeply than he’d imagined he could. It astonished him. He didn’t expect to ever feel this way about a woman again.
The girls started to giggle.
When Gavin felt Feanna falter and hesitate, he ended their kiss. He drew back to look again into her beautiful eyes, gray like a storm. Nose to nose with her, he chuckled. “I’m so glad to see you. It’s a long way to travel, though. Is something wrong? ”
“Not anymore.” She stepped out of his embrace. “Once we’ve had a chance to talk, you’ll understand.”
Trevick hung back looking both shy and eager.
Gavin put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “How now, Trevick. You’ve been looking out for my lady, have you?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“My thanks. You look hungry. Why don’t we sit for a meal. It should be ready soon.”
At Daia’s and Edan’s insistence, Gavin had become accustomed to sitting at the head of the table, with Edan on his right and Daia on his left. Now Edan gave his seat to Feanna. Daia moved down to put Edan at Gavin’s left. However they wanted to sit was fine with him, as long as he had a good view of Feanna and didn’t have to strain to hear her. The seat beside him was perfect. When the children lined up to sit next to her, the innkeeper tried to herd them to another table.
“No,” Gavin told him. “They’ll dine with us. This is supper, not a council.”
“Can I sit beside Miss Daia?” Iriel asked.
“Of course you may,” Daia answered. She pulled out the chair beside her and patted it.
Gavin invited Trevick to take the seat at the opposite end, facing him.
They enjoyed a leisurely meal entertained by stories about the brawl at the Lucky Inn that Gavin swore he had no part in starting, Golam’s misadventure in the woods, and Gavin’s visit with the Stronghammers. Edan shared parts of his conversation with the lordover, most likely embellishing for Daia’s amusement. Feanna described their journey to Tern. When she tried to skip the part where their escort battled beyonders, Iriel filled in the details.
“Is it true?” Iriel asked. “Are you the king?”
Everyone quieted instantly.
“It’s true,” Gavin said solemnly. He looked at Feanna to judge her reaction, but she had none. Edan must have told her. “But it’s a secret for now. Only those of us in this inn know it and a few others.”
“What’s going to happen to us?” Tansa asked.
Confusion crossed Feanna’s face. “What do you mean, sweetheart?”
“Trevick says when you and Lord Gavin marry, we’ll have to live in a orfrininge.”
Gavin couldn’t have been more shocked. “Whoa, wait a minute. Nobody here’s going to live in an orphanage.”
“But Miss Feanna went to see it today,” Iriel said. “We thought she was making arrangements.”
“Oh, darling, no!” Feanna cried. “I went there to find out if the children were being cared for properly and to see if they needed help. Lord Gavin’s right. No orphanage for you. Where I go, you go. Understood?” She looked at each of the children in turn and waited for them to nod their understanding.
After supper, Gavin held Feanna’s hand while everyone told stories and laughed. When pressed again about the reason for his missing tooth, he dug deep into his memory for the stories he’d told his daughter that weren’t too violent or sexual. “One night, when I was sleeping in the forest, a magical twillibeast woke me. He said he lost his horn, and he needed a tooth from a human to grow it back.” The children laughed, but they didn’t believe him. Every minute he spent in Feanna’s presence lifted his heart. Her laugh was a delight to his ears, and he loved the crooked teeth in front that made her smile that much more charming.
When the children began to yawn, no longer captivated by the stories, Feanna rose to get them dressed for bed, promising she would be back shortly. When Gavin got up to help, she wouldn’t have it. He was the king. There would be others to see to things like that. He disagreed, but he didn’t want to argue with her in front of everyone. If he was going to be a father to her children, he would act like a father and not a lord.
“Trevick,” he said, motioning with his head. “Come with me outside for a moment.”
Trevick swallowed hard and got the flighty loo
k in his eye of a boy who thought he was about to be reprimanded.
Gavin put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You’re not in trouble. Worry not.”
The night wasn’t as cool as nights had been recently, a sign that summer would soon be upon them. Crickets chirped from the weeds and grass that grew between the buildings, and fireflies blinked lazily in the air.
“I’d like a word with you about your future,” Gavin said. He sat on the steps and patted the step beside him, inviting Trevick to sit. “And about Miss Feanna’s.”
“Yes, my lord-- um, I mean, my liege.” Trevick’s hands shook, and he kept his eyes firmly fixed on the ground.
“I don’t make any secret of my interest in her. I hope she likes me too. Something you’ll learn about people as you get older is that everyone has unhappiness in their past. I was an orphan too.”
“Truly? I didn’t know.”
Gavin nodded. “My mama died when I was five, and my papa when I was twelve. My brother tried his best to see me the rest o’the way to adulthood, but he was barely more than a boy hisself. I didn’t have my papa anymore, but I did get a second father o’sorts.”
“Did you get adopted?”
“Not formally. Edan’s father stepped in, tried to give me the guidance I needed. Since he was the Lordover Lalorian, just hearing him say my name was enough to make me piss myself, so I have some idea what you might be feeling.”
Trevick chuckled.
“I’ll tell you what he told me. I can’t replace your papa. Nobody can. But if you’ll let me, I’ll do the things your papa would’ve done. I’ll teach you how to become a man, how to carve out a place for yourself in the world.” Assuming, of course, he survived what was to come.
Trevick nodded, biting his lip nervously. “What would you ask of me?”
Gavin leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and grinned. “Find out what Miss Feanna’s favorite flowers are and let me know. Quietly.”
Trevick smiled. “Yes, my liege.”
“To be clear, you can always talk to me about anything, awright, Trevick? Whatever worries you have, I want to hear them.”
