by Auryn Hadley
"Sure, pup."
"I didn't mean to be royal. When I said us, I meant you and I."
He chuckled and rubbed her shoulders. "Does that mean I'm kinda like the royal shadow?"
"Or maybe the royal we?" She cocked her head and looked up at him.
Tristan nodded. "I can do that. You and I against the world, Ley."
"Promise?" she asked. "I mean, one of these men is going to be my husband. After I'm married..."
There, in the middle of the palace hall, he caught her hand and held it tightly. "I swear, Ley. All those times you waited for me to come back and never complained? How could I do anything else."
"But it's different."
"Yeah," he agreed. "But now I know we're playing the same game. He'll only get the Princess. I'll always have the Wolf. You were mine first, pup, and I won't let you forget that."
"I don't want to do this," she breathed.
He nodded. "I don't want you to do it either." Then he rested his head against her brow and dropped his voice. "That doesn't mean I'll love you any less. We do what we have to, to survive. I'll be right there, every time, waiting for you to come back. Just make sure these bastards know that the bitch they're trying to push around can bite back."
She nodded, all too aware of the word he'd used. A tiny smile played at her lips. "Let's go find my guard and make an entrance."
"Yeah. Let's show them what it means when you say 'we'."
Chapter 14
Leyli strode into the room, her gold skirts floating around her legs. Behind her, two men in black leather with gold accents made the perfect compliment. They were heavily armed but easily kept pace with the Heir. When Leyli took her chair at the head of the table, Tristan moved to her right elbow, Temotio to her left. Leyli picked up the papers before her, looking through them slowly.
"Please," she told the men, "sit and be comfortable."
Nine lords found their chairs, all of them looking at the others. At the back was Palino Sarisona. Leyli refused to let her eyes linger on him for too long. She was just about to speak when the door opened and a tenth man walked in. Lord Rochdale hurried to the last empty chair.
"My apologies, Highness," he said, ducking his head toward her. "The palace guards detained some Rhian merchant trying to enter and kept us sitting in the road for nearly half an hour."
Leyli looked at Tristan and he nodded, confirming the story. "These things happen," she assured him. "It's been an exciting day in the palace, it seems. Gentlemen, I want to make sure that we are all clear about these negotiations."
Palino chuckled. "Negotiations? Is that what you're calling it?"
"Do you have a better word, cousin?"
He smiled and reached for his wine, making a show of it. "I thought you would prefer to have us woo and impress you. Maybe give us the chance to fall madly in love?"
She shifted the papers in her hands until she found his. "My dear cousin, I may have a cunt, but the gods still gave me a brain. Love is unimportant and not something I was raised to expect. What I desire in a husband is simple. Pledge something that will strengthen Norihame, understand that you will never rule the nation, and be happy with the idea of watching your child grow up to sit on the throne. I do not see how love plays into that at all." She tilted her head. "If it was love I was seeking, shouldn't one of you have brought flowers?"
A lean man in the middle of the table shoved his hand to his face to hide his chuckle. It only barely helped. Leyli tried to identify him. Flipping through the pages, she finally found it: Connall Delaney, fifth son of the Boier of Moyloch.
Leyli let her eyes roam the group. "I want to make this clear. I will not take my husband's last name. I will give him the option of taking mine. My children will take the Aravatti name as well, for their royalty descends to them through me. My husband will become the Prince Consort, with all of the rights and privileges associated with the title. Upon my death, he will not gain control of the nation. If I do not have a child by the time I ascend to the throne, I will name an heir that day, conditional upon the birth of my children."
Around the room, the men were gaping and sputtering. What Leyli had just described was unheard of. Even Queen Leandra had assumed her husband's name and passed it on to her children. Leyli spread out the papers before her.
"If any of you would like to rescind or alter your offers, you have three days. On the fourth, I'm retiring to the country to relax and make my decision."
The younger son of Amylad stood to get her attention. "Highness, what's in this for us?"
"You get to be a Prince instead of watching your brother become a Boier."
"And?" he asked. "Explain to me why I'd want to tie myself to a headstrong wife, surround myself with jokes about my manliness, and at best get a smaller version of your chair."
"Because my husband will have access to my wealth. He will have comforts that few lesser lords can dream of. If he keeps me happy, his child will rule the country, placing his name in the history of Norihame for all time. What more do you want?" She stood to match him, glaring around the table. "If any of you think that I'm a foolish blushing maid, then you're wrong. I survived forty-five games in the arena. I've killed more men than anyone in this room, with the exception of the Lion behind me. I am not some stupid virgin eager to lay on my back and beg for conception!"
Leyli heard the strangled noise from behind her, but refused to acknowledge it. Instead, she rested her eyes on each of the lords, judging them, and making it obvious. When the young noble finally returned to his chair, so did she.
Palino shifted to face her and leaned back. "Cousin, are you in such a rush because you're already bred?"
"Does it matter?" she asked him just as sweetly. "How many bastards have you sired already?"
His face turned smug. "That's unimportant. I have no interest in wedding a whore."
She pulled his offer from the stack and tossed it down the table. "Then have an enjoyable afternoon, my Lord. I lived through the games and all that came with it. I don't really care what you call me. My virtue has no bearing on my ability to rule Norihame in the best interest of the common citizens. I don't care if the idea of a wife who enjoys intercourse shocks or repulses you. I have no need of any of your offers. Norihame is strong, and will continue to be. I can easily make an offer to Rhia and find some extraneous Senator that will bind our countries closer. I could find some Boieret's sixth child and promote him to sit beside me."
Temotio inhaled at that, making the men look at him. Leyli chuckled and nodded, gesturing behind her.
"Yes, my guard has eligible men among them, as well. Do not think, for one second, that I have not considered all of my available options. My only goal is to serve this country as well as my father has." She tapped the pages and stood. "Please feel free to review your offers. If you would like to withdraw them, that is acceptable. If you choose to make alterations to your proposal, give the declaration to my father." She bowed her head slightly. "Good afternoon, my lords."
Then she turned, walking out as proudly as she'd entered. Tristan and Temotio fell in behind her, the group heading toward the sitting room. Leyli had a few things to research about the legal system. After that, she could start planning out her very needed vacation.
They made it halfway before one of her suitors found them. Outside the blue room, Connall Delaney waited, looking like he'd run to beat them. His arms were crossed over his chest, his back resting on a stone column supporting a decorative arch. When he heard steps, he looked up.
"Highness," he said calmly, refusing to stand straight. "I was hoping for a moment of your time?"
"I would have thought you just had it." She gestured back the way she'd come. "Or was this about something else?"
He finally pushed himself off the wall, smoothing his clothes back into place. "No, Princess. I wanted to speak to you about a few addendums I'm willing to add to my proposal. Sadly, they're not the sort of thing that fares well when put on paper. Can I convince you
to give me a moment of privacy?"
"Come."
She continued the way she was going, but Lord Connall fell in at her side. Like the guards, he said nothing. When she opened the door to her office and gestured, he smiled before stepping inside. Tristan reached over her shoulder to take the door, holding it for her and Temotio, then followed.
Connall looked up and his brow creased. "I was hoping for a moment of privacy."
"This is as private as my life gets, Lord Connall."
His eyes turned to the guards, hanging longer on Tristan before turning back to her. "Can we at least pare it down to one?" She looked at Temotio and nodded. He turned, but Connall held up a hand. "The other one?"
Leyli dropped into the chair behind the ornate desk and leaned back. "You realize that my husband will need to get used to his presence. The Secor will not be retiring any time soon."
"I also realize that if I say something which may need to be said, he could take offense and geld me." Connall looked at the large man. "The Lion is well known to be terrifying, both in the arena and the palace."
Leyli looked at Tristan. "Leave me a sword and give the man a chance to breathe. I believe Temotio and I can hold off one man."
"Ley," he grumbled. "I made a promise to your father."
"Yes, and you've made plenty to me. Please, Tristan? I'm sure you have more to worry about for our trip than just my ears being burned." She held out her hand.
He met her eyes and held them, then slowly nodded. Pulling the short sword he carried for her, he passed it over, then tossed a dagger onto the desk. With another pointed glance, the Lion turned and marched out of the room, shutting the door behind him harder than necessary.
"This had better be good," Leyli told the Lord. "You've just offended my best friend."
Connall took a breath and shifted, refusing to sit until invited. "Highness, unlike the other men in that room, I'm no soldier. My training at the sword was feeble, and I did not excel at it. I also know that your guard will repeat almost everything I say verbatim to the Lion."
She finally gestured to the chair. "So why were you so adamant that he leave?"
"Because my offer is not polite in the least." He laughed awkwardly. "Like everyone else I've heard the rumors of your abduction, but in there you just verified our fears. Highness, the virtue of a wife proves that the children belong to her husband. To many, it's important - but not to me."
"Temotio, would you open a bottle of wine?" She leaned back and gestured for Connall to keep going.
He took a deep breath, nodded to himself, then did. "My own expertise is in mathematics and history. I do quite well with supply lines, but that's as military as I get. I'm not a brave man, Highness, and I would have died in your situation. I prefer to hide my nose in books, day in and day out. Most ladies would not consider me to be an exceptional catch, because I'm not man enough. However, I think my traits are a good compliment to yours."
"I can see that." She gestured for Temotio to pour all three of them a glass. "So, to be crass, what you're saying is that your pride will not be wounded if I make the military decisions for the country."
"Not at all," he assured her, taking a sip. "The idea of access to the palace library is a dream for me. I would busy myself with the things that you probably find tiresome." He pointed to her desk. "Such as those minor disputes. I could spend hours entertained with researching the laws. I'm willing to bet that you'd rather be hunting?"
She smiled and nodded. "Riding, at least. I'm not quite that warped from a few months in the arena. It would give me time to sew."
Connall tilted his head. "Fair point. Most importantly, though, and the reason I was nervous about your Lion standing over my shoulder..." He took a breath. "Highness, I will gladly claim your children as my own. Make the proper motions, so it is plausible, to let me keep some pride, and I will never question it."
"I am not pregnant."
He nodded. "I understand and believe you. You also are not a fool. We would spent our wedding night together, and a night each week thereafter, until you conceive. These would be planned in advance and altered at your whim, not mine. I will not enter your rooms otherwise. I will not complain about your guardsmen's familiarity with you. I certainly will make no complaints about the role of the Secor. If you wish, I'll even proclaim that you lied and were truly a maiden on our first night."
Leyli looked up, her eyes finding Temotio. He looked down at the lord, assessing him. Connall just waited. What he'd said should be taken as offensive, but she wasn't upset. Leyli lifted her glass and took a small sip, making him wait.
"What do you bring to Norihame?" she asked.
He smiled. "Access to the port of Moyloch, and no tariffs on royal shipping."
"Military?"
"Navy. Our infantry is sadly lacking because the region is marshy. Our cavalry is nonexistent."
Leyli chewed her lip. "I'd want an official oath of naval support, plus the shipping, and I'll consider it."
He leaned back and smiled. "So I won't die for my offensive statements?"
"No," Leyli assured him. "I'm well aware that the court is appalled at the state of my innocence. I also know that what is between my legs has no bearing on my ability to take care of this country."
"And our other options aren't as good." He was daring her to deny it.
She smiled. "Naturally, no one would say such things in my presence."
"Mm." He chuckled. "They do say it in mine. A woman or a tyrant. They'll gladly take another Aravatti, regardless of gender."
Temotio cleared his throat softly, interrupting. "Lord Connall, I'm confused about one thing."
"Please," he said, gesturing for him to ask.
"The Princess, while strong willed and brilliant, is not a man. She often overlooks subtle word choices that we find significant. What I want to know is why you'd ignore her having a lover. Do you have one of your own?"
Leyli's breath caught, yet she refused to let it show. Lord Connall's skin blanched slightly, but his features were perfectly schooled. Temotio just smiled slyly, knowing he'd found the crux of the matter. He looked up at Leyli and shrugged with one shoulder.
"I do not have a mistress," Connall finally said.
"Do you plan to?" Leyli countered.
He shook his head. "No, Highness. I assure you, a mistress is not in my interests."
Temotio chuckled softly before leaning over to refill the man's glass. "I understand, Lord Connall. She doesn't, but I do. I don't think the Princess will have much interest in overseeing your personal activities."
"Sir," he said softly.
Temotio lifted his hand. "Serving the crown requires that I swear an oath of secrecy. Nothing heard while on duty can be repeated. We take that seriously, or the Lion will take our heads. I also have no interest in explaining the vagaries of the human condition to her Highness."
The men shared a look, then Lord Connall stood. "Thank you for the time, Highness. I hope you can forgive my rudeness."
"I'll try. Have a good afternoon, Lord Connall."
He was barely through the door before she turned on Temotio. "What did I miss?"
"The Lord just offered you freedom. He doesn't care if the Lion helps you dress or knows what your sheets look like. He won't complain about you and I rolling around in the sand. He most certainly will not stop you from falling in love with some man in twenty years. All he wants is a relaxing life of luxury, where being a scholar won't be seen as a fault."
She looked at her friend for a long moment. "And?"
Temotio lifted his glass. "And I don't think you learned as much in the games as you pretend, Highness. Tristan did a good job of sheltering you. You fake it well, though."
Chapter 15
Not even Connall's offer was enough to keep her distracted for the rest of the day. She'd just told the Lords that she wasn't a virgin. The problem was that she'd lied. She'd told them she wasn't so they didn't think her innocence could be used against her. In
stead, they seemed to think it gave them the upper hand. They thought she must be desperate, which she wasn't. She also couldn't stomach the idea of laying on her back and praying for conception.
Eventually, she gave up on the minor disputes. Her father had been handling them for this long, surely he'd find a way to sort it out. With a frustrated groan, she put it all away and asked Temotio to escort her back to her rooms. The sun was starting to set and Tristan still hadn't returned from whatever errand he'd made for himself, but she needed his advice.
Temotio ordered the room staff to prepare a hot bath for her Highness then took a position outside her door with Horace. When she summoned Fiona, the girl was strangely absent. Instead, she had one of the cleaning girls help with the buttons on the dress. Sinking into the water, Leyli allowed the girl to take down her hair while she tried to find a solution to the problem of her virginity.
When the exterior door to her suite opened, she thought nothing of it. The heavy tread announced her visitor before he made it into her room. Without shame, Tristan marched right to the foot of the tub, his face stern.
"You can't be in here!" the girl gasped.
He looked at her. "I can. I need the Princess alone."
"That's not proper!"
Leyli flipped a hand at her, watching Tristan for a hint of what he was thinking. "He's the Secor, there's nothing off limits to him."
His mouth curled into a devious smile. "I assure you, I've seen her highness in worse positions than getting clean. Now, out."
The girl scrambled, clenching her skirts in her hands. When she passed the door, Tristan moved to close it, then threw the latch before moving to lock the other side. He said nothing, just returned to the tub and began fixing the mess of her hair.
"After you're clean, I want the entire guard in here. You will not leave this room without at least two of us. Ok?"
"Why?"
He freed the knot and used his fingers to brush the strands free. "When I left you alone with that sniveling lordling, one of the kitchen boys found me. Ley, your maid is dead. Someone left her in a closet with her skirts hiked up and her throat crushed."
