by Rosie Scott
“Three times,” I replied, tugging him back from the railing as if saving him from falling. Cyrus chuckled at my antics, but he gave in. He started to walk toward the lift to go back to the forest floor, but I kept my hand firm on his arm, encouraging him to stay in place for a moment. “There is rain, there is snow, and now, Celendar has made an agreement with a necromancer and a conqueror of Hammerton.”
Cyrus raised one dark eyebrow playfully. “And they say it couldn't be done.”
Cyrus and I had spent the last few hours with Vipin and the remaining Celdic royalty, figuring out the smaller details of our eventual agreement and mapping out property lines. It was busywork that I hadn't wanted to force the others to sit through, so Cyrus and I went alone. Vipin and the other Celds had requested a slightly larger territory than their forest currently encompassed so that it could continue to grow outward from its center. Not only had I granted it, but I'd told Vipin I would be open to further negotiations in the future about the sale or rental of more land if the Celds needed it. Land wasn't limitless, but I had offered Celendar thousands more acres of fertile land than it currently owned, and the difference on a map was miniscule. To fill up the land I'd offered them it would take hundreds of years and thousands of freshly planted trees.
Upon the delivery of news to Celendar that Chairel was taken in conquest, it would once again be independent, and the leaders of the newly reformed nations of Chairel, Celendar, and Fremont would hold a meeting discussing trade agreements and the fine-tuning of each country's laws on free travel and migrants. I couldn't make any promises to Vipin or Cyrus about such things until I owned Chairel and had access to the reports of its finer details. Nonetheless, as Cyrus and I stood facing one another on the highest level of Celendar, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
I abruptly pulled the king of Fremont into a close embrace. Cyrus patted me on the back and asked, “To what do I owe the honor?”
I chuckled. “Stop talking proper, Cy. I am your friend first. Everything else is just details.”
He squeezed me closer in response to my words, and I smiled against his yellow and black armor. Finally, we separated, and Cyrus stared at me with his thoughtful and intelligent blue eyes, appearing contemplative. “I never want to lose what we have, Kai. I have lived for hundreds of years, but building a friendship with someone and then both having to grow into rulers of separate countries is a new experience for me.”
“You say that as if our success will separate us,” I said.
“Because it will,” Cyrus replied. “Years ago, we talked on the seas about how one day we might be enemies if Tilda pulled Eteri out of the war. I felt sick at the thought because I was unused to befriending someone who wasn't Vhiri, so I'd never had to worry about being separated. Time has gone on, and we've only grown closer. I'm internally conflicted because I have promised to fight beside you to take Chairel, but I know that the light at the end of that tunnel leads to our separation. Within a few years, you and the others will stay in Sera, and I'll be forced to go back to Fremont with my armies. I fear that time and distance will pull us apart in more ways than one.”
“Then tell me your concerns, Cy. I'll do my best to sort them out now while we are together,” I offered.
Cyrus wrinkled up his nose and glanced off to the side, his eyes catching on a snake twirling around a hanging branch just over the railing. “I have no concerns that can be sorted now, Kai. I simply don't want to ever be at odds with you. A lot of trials and tribulations could befall us as rulers. Even if we care for and respect one another, our people may get into petty spats.” His eyes came back to mine. “Promise me you'll come to me with your concerns first before making any judgments. Remember when I tell you now that I promise to faithfully uphold our alliance for the rest of my life.”
“I promise to come to you first,” I agreed, “and I hope you are comfortable enough with me to do the same.”
“I am,” Cyrus replied.
I reached out to hold his arm. “Don't fret, Cy. That we are friends now means I will work even harder to keep peace between our people and I will fight even harder during our wars. I wouldn't worry about being separated for long. Stay rooted in Hallmar so you're close to our border, and we'll both take extended lazy holidays and travel back and forth.”
The anxiety on Cyrus's face faded as he chuckled at my humor. “I have a feeling that wasn't completely a joke.”
“It wasn't. I'll have horses in Chairel, and you'll have griffons in Fremont. It could cut travel time between Sera and Hallmar in half. Dump all of your work on Uriel and come to Sera for a getaway.”
Cyrus smiled. “Uriel will want to come with.”
“Then dump the work on Zephyr.”
Cyrus snorted in laughter. “I hope you keep this attitude of yours as a ruler, Kai. Even the people in Chairel who fear you will fall in love with you.”
“Says someone who is easy to charm,” I teased him.
“Only by people who are as charming as you,” he retorted lightly.
“Speaking of being charming, allow me to buy your affections,” I commented, remembering the reason for which I'd stopped him alone. As I dug in my satchel for his ring, Cyrus laughed at my wording.
After a moment, he mused, “Oh no. You meant that literally, didn't you?”
I huffed with amusement, pulling my hand out of my satchel with the ring enclosed in my fist. “I bought you a gift.”
Cyrus sighed, but it wasn't convincing. “I've heard from the others that you spent a fortune on gifts for everyone, and I noticed that Holter's been messing with a Celdic harp. I assume the two are connected.” He tilted his head at me after glancing at my outstretched hand. “Before I accept this, tell me something you want me to get you. Preferably expensive.”
I smiled. “You risked your life and livelihood when you stepped down as a Sentinel of Eteri and offered your service to me. As far as I'm concerned, I'm in your debt.”
Cyrus sobered. “And you saved my life. Twice. I'm in your debt.”
“Oh, please. The first time you simply lost a fight with an icicle, and the second time you were just stuck between a rock and a hard place. I did nary a thing.”
Cyrus broke out into laughter at my vastly understated descriptions of his former serious injuries. “As impressed as I am at your wit, if you don't give me a gift idea I will buy you something expensive and I promise it will be hideous.”
I grinned. “Fine. I need two things at the moment.” I glanced down at my feet. “A new pair of boots with extra thick soles to replace this sorry sight. Black only. Or the longest book you can find on Stellan the Tortured while we are in Celendar since I am fascinated by him and have never read his full account.”
Cyrus nodded. “All right, then. But what if I can't find black boots? Most Celds wear tan.”
“If you buy me tan boots, you will fulfill your promise to buy me something hideous.”
Cyrus huffed in humor. “Okay, black boots it is. I will do my best, Kai.” He turned his attention to my hand. “Give me the goods.”
I slowly opened my fingers, allowing him to see the unique ring sitting in my palm. Cyrus frowned before picking the jewelry out of my hand. “It's...made of wood?” He lifted it up and eyed the glass. “And there's water in it.”
“Sacred water according to the Celdic merchant, but I'm fairly certain that was said to scam me,” I commented, and Cyrus chuckled. I watched as he tried the ring on. It was too big for his ring finger, but it fit on his pointer finger. “When you cast water magic from that hand, the water in the ring changes form as well.”
Cyrus's eyebrows lifted in pleasant surprise. “What a fantastic idea!” He reached over the railing to the falling rain, once more turning the water to snow. As he did so, the droplet of water crystallized around the exterior glass band of the ring until it appeared it was made of wood and ice. “Wow!” Cyrus brought his hand back. “Thank you so much, Kai. I will treasure this.” He l
owered his voice and added, “And play with its powers in my free time.”
I laughed. “I would expect nothing less.”
“I'll get you your gift as soon as I'm able,” Cyrus promised. Glancing at the nearest lift, he added, “I'm assuming you have surgeries to complete today.”
“No,” I replied, though I walked toward the elevator which would lead us back to our camp. “We finished with those last night. Now, all that's left is keeping some of the wounded on potions regularly until we see improvement. Azazel and Holter have been taking care of that. It's endearing to me that Holter looks up to Azazel for training in both alchemy and archery. Azazel's the best at everything he does, and Holter wants to be.”
“It seems to me Holter's living his dream,” Cyrus mused. “And he is really great in combat, Kai. Like you said, Azazel's skill is unparalleled, but don't let Holter be overlooked.”
“Oh, trust me, he isn't.” I walked out to the middle of the lift, and Cyrus came to stand beside me. After I gave directions to the operator, the elevator slowly lowered. “They understated my skill for years in Sera. I know how it feels to be overlooked without it being deserved. I give that kid praises as often as I can.” I grimaced. “Listen to me. Kid. Holter will be twenty-five in Dark Star; he's been an adult for years. Since when did twenty-five seem so young?”
Cyrus chuckled softly at my musings. “It only gets worse with each year that passes, Kai. I'll be four hundred and eleven in Dark Star. When it gets to where you're shaking a stick at three-hundred-year-olds, that is when it's time to call it quits on caring.”
Cyrus and I went our separate ways at the bottom of the lift. He headed farther into the depths of the city, and I assumed it was to look for my gift while he had the time. I made my way back to our camp along the southern edge of Celendar alone.
When I was within view of my friends, Azazel noticed my approach and quickly stood and hurried over to Cerin. The two men disappeared suspiciously into the brush behind one of our tents, and Maggie and Nyx laughed at their antics. As I entered the camp, I asked, “What the hell was that all about?”
“It's not what it looks like,” Nyx quipped, before she added dryly, “unfortunately.”
Nyx deflected my responding glare with a grin as I walked through camp to follow Cerin and Azazel and stopped just outside of the bush that hid them from me. I heard the two men talking in hushed tones and the clinking of coins before they quieted after overhearing my approach.
“Kai,” Azazel called out, “go back to camp.”
“Tell me first why you're acting so weird,” I argued lightly.
“I forgot to take care of some business I had while you were away,” Azazel replied.
Cerin chuckled behind the bush ahead. “That probably makes this look worse.”
“Are you two really that lonely?” I called out, and they both laughed in response.
“We're avoiding your wrath,” Cerin replied.
“You'll be subject to it if I'm not privy to what's going on.”
The brush parted, and Cerin walked through to face me. He appeared smugly amused. “After years of forging your way through challenges and decisions with no regard to our fear, you finally know what it feels like to be the one kept in the dark.”
Those words would've hurt me if Cerin didn't seem so amused. “Fear shouldn't stop progress. I don't leave you in the dark anymore. Should it bother me that that's not reciprocated?”
Cerin grimaced and glanced back at the bush. “Azazel, come out. We'll finish our business here.”
Azazel stepped out to be before me. He held one of his coin purses in one hand, and some gold glimmered in the other. “We meant to handle this when you weren't around so you weren't hurt.”
I stared at the gold coins before frowning. “Handle what?”
Cerin crossed his arms over his chest and said, “Azazel told me during our first night in Celendar that you mentioned wanting to buy him art supplies. If you did, he requested I figure out how much you spent on him so he could pay it back.”
“I'm worried about all the gold you're spending on me, Kai,” Azazel explained, appearing anxious to admit it. “I know you had to have spent thousands on everyone's gifts. I have more gold than you now and that doesn't sit well with me. I don't need it as badly as you do. I promise I'm not rejecting your gift. I love it and I'll learn how to paint eventually. I just want to return the gold you spent for it.”
I exhaled heavily. “I spent nothing on it. Cerin insisted on buying it.”
“Well...” Cerin motioned to Azazel. “This is why I offered. I was going to let Azazel pay me, and then I would've sneaked it back into your satchel eventually.”
“But you bought it. I'm not out the gold.”
Lowering his voice, Cerin replied, “For everything else you are. I'm out the gold for one gift. I'm fine with that. I have more than you do, too. Hell, now everybody does.”
I chuckled under my breath but said nothing. Azazel asked, “Are you mad at me?”
“You are the only person I know who can do something sweet for someone and then worry about it,” I mused. “I'm not angry. Give Cerin the rest and let's be done with it.”
“It's the thought of a gift that counts,” Azazel assured me, counting out more gold coins to his free hand before offering it to Cerin. “I feel the need to pay you back for the money you gave me in Eteri when I had nothing.”
“That was so long ago I don't even remember it,” I retorted stubbornly, not arguing when Cerin dug into my satchel to replenish my coin purse.
“I bought a hood, an alchemy book, and a comb,” Azazel replied.
I chuckled at the endearing matter-of-fact way he'd said it. “Ah, yes. I vaguely remember that odd combination.”
“All three have served me well,” Azazel added, tugging at the black hood that was off his head for the moment since he didn't need to worry about sunshine or rain. Though precipitation still fell through the gaps of the canopy above, our camp was dry. A puddle was forming in the forest clearing ahead, but even though the moisture spread its fingers through the earth, it was too far from us.
“All this talk of gifts reminds me of the one I have yet to give,” I said. I directed my attention to Cerin as I asked, “Where is Uriel?”
“Taking a much-deserved break from all those surgeries he's been doing,” Cerin replied. “He and Hakan came back from the inner city while you were out. They should be back at their tent.”
I grabbed the carton with Uriel's wine and set off to find him. Over the past week, Cerin and I went together to the infirmary tents to heal our injured, and we'd passed by Uriel's on our way. The Sentinel and I had taken turns leading shifts, so we'd spent little time together in Celendar. Now that the alchemists were in charge of curing the remaining infections and promoting healthy bodily functions in the aftermath of strenuous battle, our part in healing the soldiers was over.
Uriel and Hakan were just inside their open tent, sitting cross-legged with a game of cards laid out between them. I approached them quietly with the carton of wine hidden just behind my back, but Uriel noticed me and smiled. “Kai! Do you have need of me?”
“Actually, no. But I have a gift for you if you don't mind the intrusion.”
“Come in our humble abode, then,” Uriel replied. I grinned at his wording as I ducked into the tent.
Hakan smiled in greeting and said, “I don't mind the intrusion at all. I'm positive Uriel is cheating.” He nodded toward the cards on the ground.
“I wouldn't put it past him,” I teased, keeping the wine behind my back as I sat down to watch their game. “Uriel once threatened to put me at the end of his spear.”
“I did not,” Uriel retorted, though he laughed.
“He did,” I said to Hakan, trying to convince him. “Over you, no less.”
“Over me?” Hakan grinned as he laid down more cards. “What for?”
“A slip of the tongue that made it sound like I wanted to steal you from hi
m in Olympia,” I replied.
“Ah,” Hakan said, leaning back from the cards so that his shoulder-length red hair swished off his neck. “And those were the early days, Uriel. You cared for me even then, back when we were fucking in secrecy.”
I snorted a laugh at the unexpected explicit admission, and Uriel sighed facetiously. “This is what I get for falling for a fire mage. Crude bluntness.”
“Fire and water,” Hakan corrected, motioning toward his beautiful clear blue eyes. “Hot and cold; spicy and soothing.” He smiled over at me with rapport and added, “The best of both worlds, don't you agree?”
“I've been with Cerin for over a decade, Hakan, and not once has he gone hungry with need.”
Hakan laughed joyously at my quip and laid his hand of cards on the ground, done with their game for now.
Uriel grinned at his lover and mused, “Just when I'm one play away from winning.”
“Seems like the perfect time to quit to me,” Hakan replied. The lovers exchanged a teasing glare for a few seconds before Uriel turned to me.
“You've brought a gift?” he asked.
“I have. I picked it out for you, Uriel, but I hope Hakan can enjoy it as well.” I pulled the carton of wine in front of me, and the healer's eyes widened.
“Oh, sweet gods, six bottles of Celdic wine,” Uriel rambled with elation as he took the carton. His light gray eyes found mine. “Thank you! How in the world did you know I love wine?”
“Your apartment in Mistral had bottles and bottles of it,” I replied. “Considering the circumstances with Eteri, that collection is now lost to you.”
Uriel shook his head in disbelief. “I feel like it should flatter me you paid that much attention to my belongings, but I know you notice such things about everyone.”
“Be flattered regardless,” I told him. “You're a dear friend. And considering the talk Cyrus and I had with Vipin earlier, trade should go smoothly between Fremont and Celendar after our final campaign together. You can have a trading route only for wine named after you.” After Uriel chuckled, I asked, “Have you had time to try Celdic wine yet? Vipin offered us some during our talks last week. You weren't there, but it was delicious and I thought of you.”
