by Alison Pensy
Faedra and Faen continued to watch the contestants from the remaining realms filter into the stadium. The home team traditionally entered last and was led onto the track by the king, which instigated an explosion of uproarious applause from the home crowd. Faedra clapped her hands over her ears. She felt her heart swell at the sight that beheld her. Behind the king marched Etyran and Jocelyn. She felt so proud of her friends. She was definitely falling in love with this realm. It was a good job, too, because one day she would be responsible for it and all its inhabitants. She prayed her father would live for a very long time before that role was ever dropped in her lap.
After the final contestant had marched into the stadium, the teams gathered in the middle. A spokesperson from each realm stepped forward and lined up on either side of the king.
"Comply with the rules," the king commanded, his voice booming around the now silent arena. "Cheating or foul play will not be tolerated. If anyone is found guilty of such conduct, all contestants for that event will be disqualified. Enjoy yourselves today, rest tonight, and let the games begin tomorrow."
The teams in the center cheered their approval.
"So what happens now?" Faedra asked Faen as she watched the crowds start to disperse.
A cheeky grin tugged at Faen's lips, garnering him a wary look from his wife. "Now," he said, "we party."
"Oh, we do, do we?" Faedra said, unable to hide the flirty tone in her voice. "Can we just make that a party for two?"
Faen's energy exploded around them. His eyes flashed the instant before he scooped her up and launched them both out of the royal box and over the heads of the dispersing crowd below them.
Faedra squealed. "What are you doing? I'm sure this is not strictly protocol for such an important event."
"The crowd was moving too slowly. I had no other choice."
"No other choice than what?"
Faen pulled his attention away from where he was flying and looked down at the woman he loved. Faedra's eyes widened as their eyes locked and he bore into her with an intensity that was unmistakable.
"Oh," Faedra murmured.
As they flew over the contestants, Faedra tried very hard not to notice the disapproving look her father was shooting them, or the whoops and hollers coming from her two friends, the dragons, and, more disconcertingly, her dad. She threw them a hesitant wave before burying her burning face in Faen's doublet.
***
"Well, it's about time," Etyran hollered across the tavern as Faen and Faedra entered hand-in-hand. When they got to the table, Etyran slapped his friend on the back. "Mate, you're supposed to be conserving your energy. We've got swords in the morning."
Faedra's cheeks flamed. Was she ever going to get used to the fact that the entire realm seemed privy to their nuptials? Although, in this case, Faen was hardly subtle about his intentions, flying over the entire tournament contingent and crowd of spectators the way he had. She had intended to talk to him about that, but had been just a tad distracted.
Jocelyn rolled her eyes and gave Faedra a consoling look. "Don't worry," she said. "The novelty for Etyran will wear off soon. He will find someone else to annoy before long, I have no doubt."
"Hey, I heard that," Etyran grouched.
Faedra stuck her tongue out at him, inducing a fit of giggles from her new Guardian.
"And that, young lady," Etyran continued. "Is not very princess-ly"
Faedra hitched a shoulder. "I'm still in training, what can I say?"
"What can I get you to drink?" Faen asked his wife before she took a seat next to Jocelyn.
"Anything red wine-like, if they have it, please."
Faen inclined his head. "I will do my best." He looked to Etyran and Jocelyn. "Anyone else?"
"No thanks, mate. We're good," Etyran replied. Lifting his half full mug of brew as if doing a toast.
Drinks in hand, the four friends fell into deep conversation about the next day’s sporting events and who was participating in what. Faen was just about to explain the dynamics of archery to Faedra when someone clearing their throat stopped him mid-sentence. All four looked up.
"Um, may we join you?"
To Faedra's surprise, Alyssa stood by their table with a not-so-grouchy looking Alaris by her side. Alyssa looked a little hesitant, and instantly Faedra felt guilt, not her own...but Etyran's. She had to feel for him, but Alyssa's energy was throwing off happiness and contentment. She certainly looked like she was enjoying the company of the grouchy dragon. Faedra made a mental note to tell Etyran to stop beating himself up over it. He was happy, Alyssa was happy. No harm, no foul. And, Heaven help them, Alaris had a smile on his face. Miracles did happen, after all.
Faedra pushed her chair closer to Faen's, which encouraged the rest of the group to scoot closer together around the table, leaving space for the new arrivals. "Sure. Pull up a chair and join us," Faedra said gesturing towards a couple of empty chairs at the adjacent table. "Faen was just about to explain archery to me."
Alyssa's face lit up. Alaris stepped to the side and grabbed the empty chairs. He was lucky to snaffle the last two in the tavern just before they were about to be procured by a couple of elves. The elves rolled their eyes with disappointment, shrugged at each other, and wandered back towards the bar. The roomy alehouse was filling fast with tournament participants and there was only standing room left.
Faedra was astonished by how congenial Alaris could be. She'd only ever experienced his abrasive side, but as the night wore on, tales were swapped, and endless amounts of laughter filtered around the table. Etyran's guilt trip faded, as he realized how happy the girl he didn't choose now was with her new friend. For the first time in a long time, Faedra relaxed and found herself suffering from the effects of having one too many goblets of mead. The only drink in the tavern remotely resembling red wine. Thank goodness she wasn't representing either of her realms in the tournament the next day. And just how many drinks could a dragon sustain before they got even the slightest bit tipsy? Although, now that she came to think of it, with the amount she had partaken of during the evening, she should be out cold on the floor by now. Alaris had drunk her under the table, and he was still as sober as a judge.
"Okay," Faedra said at last, unable to keep her curiosity at bay any longer. "What's your secret?" Oops, did she just slur that 'S'?
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Your Highness," Alaris replied, raising a very sleek eyebrow as he did.
"Oh, don't 'Your Highness' me. You know exactly what I am talking about," Faedra said, as she caught the mischievous energy he was trying, and failing, to conceal. "Between us, we've drunk enough to put old wasshisface over there out of stock for the whole tournament, but you're still as sober as a judge and I'm only just starting to feel tipsy."
"I'd say you were a bit more than tipsy, Fae," Etyran piped up. She narrowed her eyes at him and turned back to Alaris, who she discovered, was smirking at her.
"Are you smirking at a princess?" Faedra asked, mock affronted.
Alaris and Alyssa burst out laughing.
"What?"
"You're funny when you're drunk," Alyssa said.
"I am not drunk," Faedra protested, scanning around the table for some support. All she got was Faen nodding and Jocelyn and Etyran leaning in together and making the universal sign for 'just a tad' with their thumbs and forefingers. She ignored them and turned back to Alaris. "Seriously, though. It's the heat, isn't it? The heat burns off the alcohol, doesn't it?"
Alaris smiled. His secret was out.
"I knew it. It does," Faedra said in awestruck appreciation.
"Okay. Yes, it does," Alaris admitted. "It seems that I am able to control it a little better than you, though."
"Story of my life," Faedra muttered.
Faen stood up, looked down at his wife with love in his eyes and held out a hand for her. "Come. I think it is time I took you home."
Faedra looked up, hitting him with her best puppy dog eyes. "Aww, really?"
Faedra stood up and wobbled a little. She looked up at her husband who was steadying her by holding her upper arms. "Oops," she giggled.
Faen couldn't help himself. He laughed at the girlish innocence he hadn't seen in the woman he loved for far too long. "What am I going to do with you?" he said, shaking his head.
"I have a few suggestions," Faedra replied, leaning into him seductively and threading her hands through his hair before reaching up for a kiss.
Faen's eyes widened. "Oh, no you don't. Not here," he said scooping her up in his arms.
Guffaws and giggles echoed around the table.
"Are you always going to carry me to bed?"
"Okay. Time to go," Faen blurted hastily. He turned to the other guests at the table and inclined his head. "I bid you all a goodnight."
As Faen turned on his heel, Faedra looked over his shoulder and shot her friends a wave and a giggle. "Laters," she called over her husband's shoulder as he wound his way through the amused patrons, who, however, had not forgotten their standing and bowed politely as Faen whisked the princess out of the tavern.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Faedra woke bright and early the next morning, thankful not to have a pounding head. Her heat must have burned off all the alcohol, like Alaris had mentioned. She drew in a deep breath, hoping she hadn't made an idiot of herself or done anything to embarrass her father or the crown. But, Lord help her if she hadn't had fun last evening. It was the first time she could remember feeling that relaxed and enjoying a drink with a bunch of friends. She certainly didn't regret it; she just hoped she wouldn't have to do any 'damage control' today.
She heard some noise coming from the bathroom and looked over to Faen's side of the bed. It was empty. A languid smile crept across her lips. She pushed the covers back and slid off the bed. There were two important events she wanted to watch that day. Faen must be getting ready for his as it started early in the day. She moseyed into the bathroom and leaned against the door frame.
When Faen saw her, his face lit up. He rinsed his mouth and patted his face dry with a soft towel before making his way over to his wife. Once there, he brushed the back of his knuckles gently down her cheek before leaning in and planting a soft kiss to her lips. "Adkara, you're awake," he whispered over her mouth.
"Adkara?" Faedra asked.
Faen pulled back and smiled. "It means 'love' in my language. You don't mind do you? I mean, all husbands need a term of endearment for their wives, do they not?"
"Mind? No, of course not. It's beautiful." Faedra reached up and looped her arms around Faen's neck. "Have you been up long?"
"A little while. I went out to do some last minute warm up training with Etyran this morning. I did not want to wake you. You were sleeping so soundly."
Faedra felt her cheeks flush, recalling the reason she had been sleeping so soundly. She looked up at Faen through her lashes. "Ah, yes. About that," she said, her voice a little sheepish. "I didn't do anything to embarrass my father did I?"
Faen looked at her for a long moment, his countenance unreadable. Faedra's expression fell. Oh, God. She had done something to embarrass her father. Her eyes widened and her breath hitched. She dropped her eyes to stare at her feet. Oh, no, that meant she'd have to go and eat humble pie after all. How would her father react? Surely, by now, he would have been told about her un-princess-like conduct by all and sundry. Would he be angry with her, showing him up like that? Of course, he would. She was not only his daughter, but an ambassador to the realm. He was going to be furious. Oh, how she longed, at that moment, to be normal old Faedra with only the village gossip to worry about. Her dad, Henry, would probably do nothing more than muss her hair and ask her if the hangover was worth it. Good grief, how could she have been so stupid?
Faen laughed. Faedra brought her stricken gaze to meet with his mischievous one.
"Do not worry. You did not embarrass yourself. Just a few giggles with close friends, that is all. I would not let you get yourself into trouble. Do you not know me well enough by now?"
After the look of relief that flooded Faedra's features, her eyes narrowed. She doffed him on the arm. "You rotten sod."
Pulling out of his embrace, she stalked back into the bedroom.
Faen reached out and grabbed her wrist before she was able to get very far. "Adkara, forgive me. It was just for a moment. I could not resist."
Faedra raised a speculative eyebrow. "You've been spending too much time with Etyran."
"Alas, I do believe I have."
Faedra closed her eyes and shook her head, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She felt Faen's relief, probably before even he did. He moved in close. She could feel his heat as he wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips to the top of her head. With that gesture, all irritation disintegrated and she melted into his caress.
There was a knock at the door. Without waiting for a response, the door opened and a familiar head poked itself around the solid oak. "Come on, you lovebirds. We've got cups to win and Alsians to beat," Etyran announced from the threshold.
Faedra squeaked as Faen scooted her behind him so fast she didn't have time to blink. She was about to protest when she realized the reasoning behind his action. She was still in her silky satin nightdress that only reached to her thighs, a little luxury she'd brought in from the World of Men. Flushing, Faedra reached her arm over the bed, picked up a pillow and hurled it at the intruder from behind her husband.
"Hey! What was that for?"
Faen looked down at Faedra before they both shot a glare at Etyran. "Out!" they shouted.
"Blimey. You guys are touchy!"
Faedra didn't reach for another pillow this time, instead she held a palm up that now had a purple orb bobbing above it. Etyran's eyes widened.
"Okay, I can take a hint," he said. "Cor, blimey. I was only coming to chivvy you along a bit."
Faedra raised her palm.
Raising his hands, Etyran backed out the door. "I'm going, I'm going. Jeez."
"We will be down in a few moments, my friend," Faen called, as the door clicked shut.
"You better be," a muffled voice said from the behind the closed door. "We've got to kick us some Alsian butt." Footsteps resounded down the corridor as Etyran left.
Faedra and Faen looked at each other, then sputtered a laugh. "He's been in the World of Men far too long," Faedra said.
"That he has," Faen agreed.
***
The swords arena was abuzz when Faedra, Faen and Jocelyn arrived. One of the most popular events in the tournament, the stands were brimming over with spectators. Faen stopped at the steps that led to the royal box.
"Good luck," Faedra said, planting a kiss to Faen's cheek. "Do us proud."
Faen brushed her cheek with his fingers. "Always, Adkara." He turned on his heel and headed for the contestant's tent.
Faedra and Jocelyn made their way up the steps to join her father in the box. The crowd hushed as soon as they saw her. Would she ever get used to having so much attention? She doubted it. Faedra made a gesture that she hoped conveyed what she was thinking 'as you were'. Thankfully the spectators seemed to understand and carried on with their exuberant banter. She was thrilled to see her dad was also in the box. She wondered if the king had any idea how much she appreciated the way he was letting her dad still be involved with her life, and made a mental note to tell him when they were in private.
"Hey, Dad," Faedra greeted.
Henry stood up and wrapped his arms around his daughter, giving her a good squeeze. "Good morning, darling. How are you this morning?"
"Good, thanks."
"Hello, Jocelyn. Good to see you again."
"Good morning, Mr. Bennett," Jocelyn said as she sat herself behind Faedra and her dad. Henry rolled his eyes at his daughter. "They're never going to call me Henry, are they?"
"Nope," Faedra said as she let go of her dad and shuffled past him to sit next to her father, t
he king. Their greeting was much more formal.
The king stood, took her hand and inclined his head. "Faedra."
Faedra inwardly rolled her eyes. This whole protocol thing was far too overrated. In one of her 'princess lessons', she learned that whenever greeting the king in public, she should show respect as a good impression to the people. She wondered what the crowd would do if she just hugged him and got it over with. More to the point, what would her father do? She doubted he would be pleased and decided it probably wouldn't be one of her brightest ideas.
Faedra inclined her head, also, adding a small curtsy as she had been shown, which, like usual, she still fluffed up. "Father."
Seeming satisfied with his greeting, the king smiled and gestured for Faedra to sit, before sitting himself.
Faedra leaned over to Henry. "What time is your event?"
"Straight after lunch."
"Do you know who you are playing yet?"
Henry paled.
Uh-oh, that wasn't good. Faedra felt a twinge of guilt for railroading her dad into doing this. At least with darts, he couldn't get physically hurt...hopefully.
"Yes," Henry muttered.
"Well," Faedra encouraged. "Who is it?"
Henry swallowed. "Odin."
Faedra bit back a smile. "Oh, don't worry. Odin likes you."
Henry shot his daughter a dubious glance. "And what if he didn't?"
"You don't need to worry about that, 'cause he does."
"Faedra, if you are trying to make me feel better...It's not working."
"Dad, you'll be fine. Odin's a big teddy bear."
Henry's brows shot to his hairline. "He's the God of War!"
"A mere technicality," Faedra said, brushing away her dad's statement with a whisk of her hand.
Henry dropped his head to his hands. "Oh, good grief, I'm going to die. I won't even make it to the second round."
Faedra rubbed his shoulder. "You'll be fine."
Cheers erupted as the first competitors entered the arena. It was Etyran, and he had gotten his wish. He was competing against an Alsian.
Faedra leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Come on, Etyran. Kick some Alsian butt," she whispered under her breath. If Jocelyn's energy was anything to go by, her friend was thinking exactly the same thing.
