Fate War: Alliance

by E. M. Havens

  “That sounds like a good idea. She’s in her tinker shop. You can approach her with it when she’s done.”

  Again, Jensen showed only slight confusion before he accepted the odd circumstances. They bid their good days, and Cole was left to his breakfast once again, and the dossier. He stuffed another piece of toast in his mouth, and stared down the folder like he might be able to frighten it away.

  “Slag,” he said and flipped open the folder. For the next hour Cole read the papers within. He hadn’t been imaging the added heft. The contents were mostly military reports. There had been more sightings of Fate soldiers, and mechmen in Arborea. They seemed to travel in pairs, and one such team had almost made it to the coast before discovery. There were references to the brainwashed soldiers still in quarantine. Another had taken his life. The most disconcerting report was of an amassing of Fate troops on the Nakona border, Arborea’s neighbors to the east. Once the Nakona were invaded, Arborea would become the front lines of the War.

  The last page was a synopsis of the Fate agenda, a reminder of why they must fight the scourge. Cole finished the document, and leaned his chair back. If he were honest with himself, the Fate doctrine intrigued him. Equality, the dismantling of noble hierarchy. Stability, the Fate regime guaranteed adequate living. Education, the Fate denied no one of any class schooling. Cole had actually considered championing something similar when his reign as King began.

  The problem wasn’t with the Fate rhetoric, it was with their enforcement. The Fate had a Sovereign, and from all accounts he was just a king without the checks nobility provided in Arborea’s current government. From all accounts and the raving of rescued soldiers, he was merciless. He had no heart.

  In countries overthrown by the Fate, they reported one hundred percent employment. However, the workers had no say in where they worked, or how long. Their supposed education was a joke, and should anyone disagree, it was death or brainwashing. The latter seemed to work quite well.

  “Ahhhh!”

  Sam’s scream propelled Cole over the porch banister and towards the back of the manor before the echoes died away. He rounded the corner expecting to see mechmen, Fate soldiers, or her mother. Gravel skittered as he stopped short.

  Sam stood back to back with Captain Jensen in the middle of a ring of five men from the Sagewood Garrison. They were all crouched in attack position. A sixth man lay on the ground clutching his knee.

  As one, the five soldiers attacked. Jensen threw a bone shattering punch at his first assailant’s face. Sam glided under the arm of a man aiming a fist at her face, spun and punched him low on his side. Jensen landed a kick in the stomach of his second assailant.

  Sam dogged her second attacker, leaning back to miss his fist then springing forward and dropping low to land an elbow in the back of his knee sending him forward on his hands and knees. Jensen stepped forward and kneed the downed man in the head.

  A third soldier dragged her up by the upper arm. She snapped her fist back into his shoulder joint, shocking him enough to give her time to plant her knee in his groin.

  In a matter of seconds Sam and Jensen had disabled the five men. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and her arm snaked to his waist as they congratulated each other with smiles and a squeeze.

  “What the hell, Jensen!” Cole yelled as he stomped toward the group. He didn’t know what infuriated him more, the fact that this was what the Captain had in mind when he said self-defense, or that the man had the audacity to touch his wife.

  “Did you see me?” Sam chirped.

  “Yes, I see you.” He snapped. Sam immediately removed her hand from Jensen. The Captain on the other hand stepped between the couple, hands up in supplication. Did Jensen really think he needed to protect Sam from him? Fuel for the fire, Captain, he thought.

  “Lord Cole, you don’t understand,” Jensen stammered. Cole had never seen the man so animated.

  “I understand that six of your men just attacked the Princess full on!” And you groped my wife, Cole wanted to add, but he saw Sam behind Jensen picking at her nails. She only did that when she was nervous, and this time it was he who made her that way. Damn it. What was his slaggin’ problem?

  “But, did you see her?” was all Captain Jensen could reply.

  “Yes. I saw,” Cole said penitently, raking a hand through his hair. “Still, what the hell, Jensen?”

  “Sir, I showed her a few pressure points and she took to it. She can’t land a punch worth clinker…Sorry Sam –” The Captain nodded apology to her. “but she can dodge. She was taking us out one by one no problem, so we upped the game. She’s near invincible.”

  He wished that were true. The look on Sam’s face attested to the truth.

  “Teach me.” Cole said, dragging his pride kicking and screaming out of the way.

  For the rest of the day, Cole brushed up on old techniques and learning new ones. He began to wonder what Captain Jensen was doing in the small town of Sagewood. The man was an excellent fighter and even better teacher. Cole learned more from him in a few hours then in all his time spent with the private tutors his father had hired to teach him.

  He also got firsthand experience with Sam’s eerie ability to avoid capture. At one point, Cole was pitted against her. Even though he was distracted by the newly erected wall between them, he was pretty sure she would have taken him out just as fast anyway. He found himself on the ground gasping for breath mere seconds into the sparing. He wasn’t sure how he got there, but he was certain he knew exactly where his liver was located now.

  As daylight waned, Captain Jensen suggested he return the following day and find a suitable weapon for Sam. Cole agreed, and with the men riding away he was left alone with his wife, and the wall. He could see the weight of indecision on her. All she had to do was announce her secret and be free, live a life of anonymity. He wouldn’t blame her. He’d run too.

  “Come here,” he beckoned after a while. Sam stepped into his embrace. God she felt so right.

  “Are you coming inside with me?” he asked.

  “Would you like me to?” her words were muffled against his shirt. Damn, he thought they were past this.

  “Do what you want.”

  She pulled away, shrouded in the same uncertainty. “I guess I’ll tinker with the mechman.”

  Cole let Sam go and watched her retreating form until she disappeared into the shop, then sulked into the manor alone.

  Sam woke with a start, not remembering where she was. The nightmare slowly faded, and she found herself in the tinker shop for the second morning in a row. Her face felt odd, and upon inspection she discovered several small screws stuck to her cheek, which once resided on the work bench.

  Even though the remnants of fear from her dream were dissolving, they were quickly replaced by real ones. The secret. The secret and what Cole would do with it. A rumbling pain in her stomach interrupted her mounting anxiety and reminded her that she hadn’t eaten last night.

  “Sprocket Home,” Sam beckoned to the lounging creature. It rolled over lazily and stretched its four legs one at a time before hopping to its place over Sam’s heart. She made her way to the kitchen in the predawn light to find Nana already milling about. She had hoped to find something quick to eat and retreat back to her shop, but when Nana spotted her in the doorway there was no escaping.

  “Sit,” Nana commanded. No hellos, no good mornings. Like an obedient child, Sam complied. “I’ll not have you missing meals, Princess,” the old woman chastised as she unwrapped yesterday’s bread and began to slice, then butter it. “Here. Eat this until I can fix you a proper breakfast.”

  “Thank you,” Sam yawned, the plate clattering in front of her. Sam nibbled the dry, tasteless bread. Nana clanked pans together and huffed occasionally.

  “I honestly don’t know what’s gotten into you two,” the cook scolded, expertly cracking eggs over a bowl one handed. The other hand sat firmly on her substantial hip. “This kind of behavior is not good for any m
arriage. I was married once you know.”

  With her back still turned, Nana beat the eggs with vehemence. “George, rest his soul, was a good man, but man he was, and he just didn’t know how to talk to a woman. Let me know how he really felt. Had to drag anything out of him most times. I needn’t remind you, that husband of yours is a man too. He’ll be afflicted with the same malady.”

  Nana quieted as the sounds of sizzling sausages and scrambling eggs filled the space. The hearty aroma cramped Sam’s stomach. She wasn’t sure, as she was most times with Nana, whether to be offended or affirmed by her brashness.

  “He loves you, Princess Samantha. “ Nana called over her shoulder to combat the sounds of breakfast cooking. “You and the Prince need to talk about whatever it is that’s come between you before there’s irreparable damage.” The gray bun bobbed atop her head while she nodded in agreement to herself and flipped the sausages.

  There it was again. Why was everyone so sure Cole loved her? For as much as she could see, the patterns of love eluded her. Jasper loved her and he left. Zeb loved her and he couldn’t stand physical affection. Sam was pretty sure Nana loved her and Cole both, but the woman expressed it with tears most of the time. Even mother expressed love for her, but showed it in the cruelest of ways.

  Sam almost fell from her stool as two arms encircled her waist from behind. Her mind flew momentarily to yesterday’s training for the appropriate response, but the familiar smell of herbs and earth reached her senses over the food before Cole spoke.

  “She has a point,” he whispered, his lips brushing the edge of her ear. He tightened his grip and Sam was aware of every place his body was in contact with hers. She couldn’t remember what she was just thinking about or who had made what point. “Let’s talk,” Cole said, spinning her around and taking her hands. As he pulled her up, she noticed the shadows under his eyes. He must not have been sleeping well either.

  “Ack! Not without your breakfast you don’t!” Nana called after them, as Cole lead Sam towards the stairs. She grabbed her half eaten buttered bread and waved it at Nana in reassurance. The woman looked anything but reassured with her hands planted on her hips and wooden spoon sticking out of one at an angle. Just before she disappeared from view Sam saw her grimace turn to a satisfied smirk.

  Cole led her to their bedroom and pulled her through the door with more force than necessary. He used the momentum to swing her around in a sort of dance that brought her right back to his arms as the door slammed.

  “Your secret is safe with me. I’m not going to tell.” Each succinct sentence melted away another piece of cold worry and strain of not knowing. “I want you here with me. Will you stay?”

  Sam leaned back to study his face, confused. “You thought I wanted to leave?”

  “You could be free of all of this.” Sam saw real fear in his eyes and knew she needed to do for him what he had just done for her.

  “I want to stay with you, be here with you.” Truth. She needed him to know the truth. “I love you.”

  “You have no idea what a relief it is to hear that,” Cole said and held her close again. “Promise me you’ll tell me what you want from now on. What you need. Okay?”

  His breath was warm on her ear and his arms tightened, putting even more of her in contact with him. She nodded her assent, and his warm breath was on her neck, then his lips. Heat coursed from his kisses through her body to settle in her core. Her fingers curled into his back and she pulled him closer, tilting her head to give him more access to that sensitive spot on her neck he seemed to know so well.

  A pleasant buzz tickled her mind and the sound of her own heart beating consumed what was left of her thoughts. Sam wasn’t even sure how or where her blouse went when Cole turned her around and swept her hair to the side. His kisses trailed along the length of her neck then across her shoulders, sending shudders of pleasure through her. His hands held her hips tight against him, until one arm wrapped around her waist and the other fluttered along her side to land on her breast.

  Sam gasped at the shock, not used to being touched so intimately. The slight noise seemed to affect Cole, and he hummed delightfully into her shoulder, grazing his teeth along its length. He stopped to nibble at the base of her neck and his nimble fingers rolled her nipple creating overwhelming pulses of rapture. She entwined her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer, and his attentions turned to her other breast, creating the sensations anew. The hand at her waist fiddled with the first button on her britches and deftly undid it, followed by those remaining. Teeth chattering, shivering overtook Sam in anticipation of Cole’s explorations.

  “You okay?” he asked as breathless as she was. Clenching her jaw against the shaking Sam could only nod. Still showering her neck with attentive kisses and tender nips, he glided his hand down her stomach. His fingertips had only breached the boundaries of her clothing when there was a quiet knock on the door. Cole hesitated for a moment, but ignored the intrusion. Sam was grateful when his fingers continued their journey. The knock came again.

  Cole stopped his kisses and stilled his hands. “We’ll be down for breakfast in a minute, Nana!” he roared.

  “It’s Captain Jensen, Sir.” A muffled voice announced.

  “Slag, Jensen! Weapons training can wait. We’ll be down later.” Cole yelled, in blatant frustration, stooped and threw a hastily discarded boot at the door.

  “Sir, there’s a problem in Sagewood. They could use your help.”

  Cole’s weight slumped on her back for a moment, before his husky voice tickled her ear. “Don’t. Move. I’ll be right back, Beautiful.” Sam shuddered as a chill replaced the warmth of him having been close to her. She turned in time to see him slip through the modestly cracked door. The men’s voices were muffled through the walls and Sam found her shirt to dress. If the concerned cadences were any indication, Cole would not be continuing where he left off.

  It was just as well. Along with the receding heat he had inspired, went her boldness. Embarrassed at herself, she finished dressing, not believing how out of control she felt and acted when Cole touched her.

  “Sam?” Cole’s voice startled her. She hadn’t even heard him come in while she replayed the last few minutes. “I need to go to town.” He hugged her and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Why don’t you stay here and tinker, or rest.”

  She had just promised. Promised to be heard by him. “I want to go with you,” Sam said and returned his hug, not willing to let go so easily.

  “It’s okay, you can stay. Some of the children are sick and the townspeople are concerned. I’ll go check on them and be back soon.”

  She promised.

  “I want to come. I can help.”

  He seemed to think for a moment. “Okay.” He sighed.

  Sam tightened her grip on Cole, afraid he might slip away again. Why did he want her to stay?

  ****

  Sam didn’t have time to consider why Cole didn’t want her to come once they reached Sagewood. Captain Jensen led them to a home in a block of two story houses that he knew had several ill children. The brawny soldier left them to check in at the garrison when a worried mother invited them in.

  “Oh, thank you, Prince Cole. Thank you for coming.” The woman bowed low to them, eyeing Sam skeptically. She ushered them through the cramped kitchen and eating area, into what appeared to be the only other room in their section of houses. It was crowded with furniture and clothing, but clean and dimly lit by an oil lamp in the corner. Shadows danced on the pallid faces of four shivering children on floor pallets. They were bundled in blankets despite the summer heat. An older girl, presumably a sister, replaced wet cloths on each of their foreheads in turn.

  “When did they fall ill?” Cole asked in hushed tones.

  “Two days ago my oldest boy started with the fever, then the baby. The others last night.” Her voice shook with uncertainty.

  “May I have a look?” Cole asked and placed a reassuring hand
on the woman’s shoulder, who nodded and wrapped her shawl a little tighter. Sam was baffled by the familiarity Cole had with his people yet again. They trusted him. She wondered if it would continue when he was king.

  The baby, a girl perhaps three years old, was awake. Her fever-glazed little eyes watched warily as Cole sat cross legged beside her. He put his finger on his lips and puffed out his cheeks. Sam stifled a laugh at the funny face, but the little girl only managed a weak smile for the Prince. He then pulled at his ears and stuck out his tongue. The baby gave a small laugh this time. He continued to make faces, and eventually the little girl copied him. Cole opened his mouth wider and wider, and so did the girl. He deftly removed a small mirror from his satchel and reflected light into her tiny mouth. A new warmth was growing inside Sam as she watched Cole work. It was similar to the arousal he caused this morning, but so much deeper, more profound.

  By the time he was done playing with the baby, he had managed to touch her neck, see her hands and tummy and feel her forehead without so much as a whimper from the child. He then pulled a small stick with glittering streamers attached from his pack and handed it to the little girl. He spent only a few moments with the other children who still slept, then returned to Sam and the mother.

  “Everything is going to be fine.” He reassured. “I’m going to check on the other families, but I’m certain this is just a common childhood illness. The fever is bad, but you are doing the right thing with the wet cloths. Did you collect feverfew this year? Are you making a draught?”

  “Yes, My Lord.”

  “Continue making them drink. They won’t want to because of the sores in their mouths, but it will help with the fever. The rash on their hands shouldn’t itch much, but if it does, grind some oats and make a poultice. You can add a little yarrow, too, if the sores open. They’re going to be fine. You’re doing the right things.”