by Anna Logan
Outside one of the palace entrances, a carriage waited. Terindi was already inside. Kae and Ami soon arrived, and they all four climbed in with giggles and grins. It was impossible not to be excited. They each looked beautiful in their right, flattered by the gowns and stylings of their maids, though as usual Ami was undeniably stunning. The violet complimented her dark complexion, and the sunshine was lighting her golden eyes. She was giggling more than any of them. “I can’t believe they’re getting married. Oh, remember how much he hated Jay’s flirting, back in Zentyre…”
“But also the way he’d blush.” Kae laughed.
It was remarkable, really, how different things were from those days in Zentyre. Not only had Yhkon been reluctantly persuaded into courtship and proceeded to completely fall for Jay, he was different. The Silquije-Eun-episodes Talea teased him of were, in truth, almost nonexistent in the past months.
Terindi shook her head with a smile. “Well we all know Jay wasn’t going to take no for an answer. If it hadn’t happened today, it would have happened next year, or five years from now, but she would have gotten him eventually.”
Talea laughed with the rest of them, even if she thought it wasn’t entirely true. It had been over a two-year courtship, but it would be a lie to say it hadn’t been rocky at points. Six months ago Jaylee had even become impatient and briefly courted a different man...though Talea suspected that was only because Yhkon had been procrastinating in the relationship, and she decided the best way to make him step up was to make him jealous. Perhaps not a wise method, but it had worked.
They were still giggling as they arrived at the assembly house the wedding was being held at. Jaylee had at first wanted it in the palace, but probably for Yhkon’s sake, had instead chosen a smaller gathering and simpler setting.
Guests were beginning to fill the rows of benches, even though the ceremony wasn’t for another half hour. Talea and the other girls went to one of the back rooms where they found Jaylee’s sister, Lyva, fussing over her. “You’re not even in your dress yet, Jay! Now would you—”
Jaylee interrupted her with a squeal when she saw them, running over to hug them each in turn. She was still in trousers and boots. Terindi laughed. “I know you hate dresses, but Lyva might be right.”
“I know, I know!” Jaylee’s cheeks were flushed, eyes sparkling. Everything about her was glowing with energy and happiness. They helped her get into the lacy white gown, made sure every curled lock of hair was in place, and finished with the veil. It did little to conceal how happy she looked.
“Jaylee Rhondel,” Ami had stepped back to scrutinize her, “I think Yhkon might swoon.”
That made Jaylee giggle girlishly, too excited and jittery for her usual melodic laugh. “And I think we all know that that man does not swoon.”
Talea tucked a final piece of hair into place, smiling. “He might today.”
Ten minutes later, Talea stood behind Terindi, with Lyva, Kae, and Ami lined up beside her, the groomsmen and Grrake as the best man across from them, a contented audience filling the seats before them and a subtly fidgeting Yhkon at the front of the stage. Mahzin, next to him as the officiant, looked like he was smothering that frequent and jubilant laugh of his.
When Jaylee came in with Enisham, Yhkon didn’t swoon. He went from fidgety to statue-still, with eyes only for her. She floated down the aisle like an angel, and hardly seemed to notice Enisham releasing her arm to go sit with her mother, as she stepped onto the stage to face Yhkon.
Talea was finding it impossible not to grin at the way they were looking at each other. In an attempt to regain control of her facial muscles, she scanned the crowd instead, and spotted a final guest slipping in unnoticed and sitting in the back—a Sanonyan woman, maybe in her late forties. Unlike every other person in the audience, Talea didn’t recognize her at all. She turned her attention back to Yhkon and Jaylee, as Mahzin started the ceremony. To that she barely listened, until they got to the vows. Jaylee wore the biggest smile as she said hers. Yhkon hardly even stuttered once on his. Mahzin put their wrists together and loosely tied a white band around them in the symbol of unity to say the conclusion.
And then, the final words: “I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Yhkon took her hand in his, raising their tied wrists, and pushed back her veil with his other hand. His fingers rested on her cheek. He leaned down and kissed her, long and sweet.
The audience erupted in applause. Talea had given up on not grinning stupidly. Yhkon and Jaylee, grinning even more, walked down the aisle into a larger, open room, the crowd following. All the men gathered on the right side and the women on the left, while the music started and the couple danced. The spectators sang a traditional, lively song in Calnec-Arayn about life and love, and men gradually began crossing the room to ask a girl to dance.
Wylan was among the first to advance. He offered Talea his hand. “Shall we?”
Her unending smile was probably answer enough. Her hand slipped into his with a spark of energy followed by a glow, her other rested on his shoulder, his on her waist. They almost always danced at the various social events. It was somewhat expected, with them being the Aysa and the Marshal. It never failed to remind her of when they had first met, at a village dance in Vissler, three years ago. Just as it never failed to make her smile, as if she weren’t doing so already.
Before long, almost everyone was dancing. Eventually Rikky cut in. Dancing with him usually made her laugh. In some ways, he wasn’t so different from the fifteen-year-old Rikky that had made her blush and stammer. He was still charming and energetic. Perhaps the biggest difference was that he was almost as tall as Yhkon and even more powerfully built, now. And handsome enough to be simpered at by many a female passerby.
Grrake came next, just as she thought she might reopen the three-year-old scar on her stomach if she laughed any longer with Rikky. Grrake’s smile was content as he glanced over at Yhkon and Jaylee. She looked too. “Nice to see, isn’t it?”
“Very.” He turned his smile on her. “I wanted to say...I’m not certain he would have gotten here without you. Thank you.”
“You know you don’t have to thank me for anything.” She started to say something else, until she saw someone approaching from her peripheral vision. It was the Sanonyan woman she’d noticed earlier. She was petite, no doubt beautiful in her day, with a strong jaw and keen eyes. Eyes that reminded her of someone…
Grrake had seen her too, and stopped dancing. He stared at her like he’d seen a ghost. “Teya?”
Confusion creased Talea’s brow. All the more so when Grrake abandoned her to take the woman in his arms, lifting her completely off her feet. They were both talking but Talea couldn’t make out much, with their voices muffled by the tight embrace and by emotion. When they parted—mostly, anyway—there were tears in both pairs of eyes as they looked at each other...much as Yhkon and Jaylee had.
That didn’t make any sense.
Unless...this was Yhkon’s mother. Shanteya. Queen of Sanonyn.
Grrake must have forgotten Talea was there. He still held Shanteya tightly, and leaned down enough to rest his forehead against hers. This time, Talea did hear his whisper. “I can’t believe it’s really you.”
“It’s me,” was her reply, barely above a breath. “I’m here. I’m finally here.”
Feeling more and more like an intruder on the reunion, Talea discreetly backed up. She still heard Grrake ask, “May I?” and at Shanteya’s nod, saw him kiss her.
It was at that moment that Talea realized she wasn’t the only one watching in astonishment. Jaylee...and Yhkon. The latter mumbled something that Talea guessed to be a form of profanity. He looked away and lowered his voice for her and Jay’s ears only. “I suppose it would be unexpectable for me to disappear while I have the chance.”
Jaylee tightened her grip on his arm, lifting their clasped hands and kissing his knuckles with an expression of adoring sympathy. “Very unacceptable,
yes. Besides, your chance is gone.”
Grrake and Shanteya were looking their way. Shanteya sucked in her breath and moved toward them. Talea saw Yhkon steeling himself, but he still flinched when she hugged him. She pulled back quickly, one hand lingering on his cheek. “I’m sorry...I know I’m a stranger to you, I just…” She looked at him, longingly. The pain in her gaze made Talea pity her, even if she understood why Yhkon stood there, awkward, unable to reciprocate. “Last time I saw you you were four years old. And now…” She bit her lower lip. Searching his face...and probably not finding much beyond discomfort.
Grrake joined them, gently pulling Shanteya back to himself, putting a gap between her and Yhkon. “Yhkon?” he said quietly. For all the sheer joy in his hazel eyes, there was worry too. Talea knew he could never be fully happy when those he loved weren’t.
“I...I’m sorry.” Yhkon grimaced. His Adam’s apple jerked as he swallowed. “This is g-going to…” A pause. She knew he was valiantly trying to control the speech impediment that flared to life when he was nervous. “Take some getting u-used to, is all.”
Grrake nodded. Shanteya simply watched Yhkon, as if memorizing every detail, or perhaps searching every tiny action for a sliver of warmth. “We know.” Some of Grrake’s smile came back as he pressed his lips to Shanteya’s hair, taking her hand. “We have time, don’t we?”
She managed a return smile. “Yes. I’m not going anywhere.”
“If I may…” Talea dared to step a little closer. Maybe the intervention of a third party would help ease the tension. “How is it you’re here? I mean, after all these years...I thought the whole reason—”
“I stepped down.” Shanteya seemed to be making an effort to look at all of them now, not just Yhkon. A few of the other wards and Wardens had edged closer to observe, too. “The king passed away six months ago, and my son…” a cringe and a glance Yhkon’s way, “he just turned twenty, and I felt he was ready. He’s the king now.” She gave Grrake a meaningful look. “My obligation is finished.”
A second of silence, before Yhkon cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, please excuse me.” He was already walking away, Jaylee giving Grrake and Shanteya an apologetic frown and following.
Talea dug her thumb nail into her index finger as they all watched Yhkon and Jaylee exit the building. As bad as she felt for Yhkon...she felt worse for Shanteya. The woman was biting her lip so hard Talea was surprised it wasn’t bleeding. Grrake tightened his arm around her with a frown. “He just needs time, Teya.”
“I know…” She didn’t speak for a few seconds. And then she squared her shoulders. Lifted her chin, bobbed it once in a nod, and the tears and sorrow were gone. Replaced by the queen of Sanonyn. Talea didn’t need to have known her for more than five minutes to know she was looking at a remarkably strong, steadfast woman, not one to let emotion get the better of her or to be thwarted by a challenge. Shanteya’s eyes, more gray than Yhkon’s but otherwise almost identical, traveled over their growing audience and landed on Talea. She kept her arm entwined with Grrake’s but stepped toward her. “Are you Talea?”
Uh-oh. She imagined Yhkon writing some horrible letter about how exasperating she was and sending it to the queen of Sanonyn, now standing before her. “I am. Talea Andul.” She extended a hand to the woman. Three years ago, she would have nose-dived in a curtsy. Now, she was supposed to pretend that she herself was royalty. Fortunately for Yhkon’s satisfaction, she was good at pretending.
Shanteya shook her hand, and perhaps Yhkon or Grrake’s letters hadn’t mentioned her disfavorably, because she smiled. “I’ve looked forward to meeting you. Grrake has told me what you’ve done for Yhkon...being there for him even when he made it difficult, and I wanted to thank you.”
Gratitude was so awkward. You are the Aysa of Calcaria. You will not say “um” or “oh.” “You don’t have to thank me for that.” She smiled at both her and Grrake. “He’s done the same for me. Not to mention saved my neck on more than one occasion.”
That helped the awkwardness, as Shanteya laughed. “He talked about you perhaps more than anyone in his letters, you know.”
That may not have been significant, since writing those letters had been like pulling teeth for him and he’d only written half a dozen, not particularly lengthy. But it was significant to her. Rather than let it get awkward again, she grinned. “Don’t tell Jaylee that.”
That broadened Shanteya’s smile, as she looked again in the direction the couple had left. “She’s a beautiful young woman. They looked so happy.”
“They are, and Yhkon will warm up to you, and be even happier.” Grrake stepped to her side again. After decades apart, he apparently wasn’t letting her get away. Not that Shanteya appeared to mind in the least. “Do Jaukathe and Presna know where you are? And why?”
Those must have been her other two children, in Sanonyn. “Jaukathe does. I told him about you and Yhkon, and he understood. Presna…” She shook her head, musing. “Still has some growing up to do, before she finds out the whole story. All she knows is that I’m staying with an old friend.”
Grrake was grinning. “I do believe you just called me old.”
She grinned back, affection clear in the look they exchanged. “We have been around the sun a few times, you and I.”
~♦~
Jaylee caught up to Yhkon as he slipped outside of the suffocating building, gasping in the frigid air. Her arms slipped around his waist as she laid her head on his chest. Whatever else felt wrong...she felt so right.
Her voice was soft. “Talk to me.”
“I’m alright.” He settled his cheek against her forehead. “I just...it’s easier when I can forget he’s my father. When he can just be Grrake. But that’s impossible, with her here.”
“So it’s more about Grrake than about her?”
He drew in a deep breath. “Her too. Same reason I never liked writing her...she’s not my mother. Physi-physically but otherwise I don’t...know her.”
“Are you opposed to getting to know her?”
Sort of. “Not really...but I don’t know how.” He’d never had to, before. Write a few letters, read those she sent him, hold the occasional awkward conversation with Grrake about it—that was it. He’d known this would happen eventually, of course. That one day she wouldn’t be queen anymore, and she’d return to Grrake. But he’d only known it in an ambiguous, far-off sort of way.
Jay nodded, rubbing his back. “I don’t think there’s a formula to follow. The first step is probably to give her a chance.”
Yhkon let his shoulders relax, brushing back a lock of her hair. “Why do you always have to be right?”
She lifted her head to smile at him. “Because I’m good at it.”
He mustered a return smile, sighed and nodded, and drew courage from her warmth and sweet scent and her lips hot against his in a passionate kiss.
Time for War
T ALEA stepped out of the carriage shivering, rubbing her arms and wishing Yhkon had gotten his way when it came to their dress for these ceremonies. He always said that first and foremost, the Eight were warriors, so they should dress in their usual gear. Enisham said that just as much as they were warriors, they were leaders and a symbol to the San Quawr, so they should dress formally. It was one of the few debates that Enisham won.
So there she was, no longer in the violet gown from the wedding, but a teal one that was equally fancy and useless against the Calcarian cold.
She had just gotten both slippered feet on the cobblestone when she spotted another carriage arriving, and Yhkon and Jaylee climbing out. No longer in the sumptuous vest and polished boots, or the beautiful white gown—they were back to their normal selves in Warden garb. Jay’s deliriously happy smile, the contented softness in Yhkon’s eyes, however...those were still there. Talea ran as best as the skirt would allow and hugged them both. “Have I mentioned how happy I am for you two?”
Smiles all around. Yhkon gave her a nudge. “Happy as you may be, you
have a performance, salqui.”
“Oh, yeah, kind of forgot about that.” She gave a sheepish grin. “Bye then, Mr. and Mrs. Silquije!” She ran—sort of—around the gathering throng to the outdoor stage she and the other wards would perform from. It was just outside a room of the palace, so that they could wait inside until it was time. Everyone was already there, except Ami. She would no doubt be flirting with young Elikwai or giggling with friends until the very last moment. Rikky was often late too, but tonight was an exception.
He grinned. “Running in public! Yhkon would give you a stuttering tongue lash.”
“Whoa boy,” she smirked back, “I think he’ll forgive me, but you’d certainly get the lash for that comment!”
“I’ll take my chances.” He shrugged, simultaneously flexing his arms. She rolled her eyes with a laugh.
Ami came scrambling in, breathtaking with her cheeks rosy and exotic eyes bright. “Am I late?”
“Always.” Skyve gave her a sideways glance and a raised eyebrow.
She flicked her wrist dismissively. “Too late?”
“Since lightning hasn’t yet poured from the sky into your hands, one can assume you’re not too late.”
“You’re always so...sullen.”
Skyve looked genuinely defensive. “You asked, I answered, I—”
“How you people yammer!” Ki slapped them both on the back.
Haeric poked his head in the doorway. “About ready, performers?”
Tarol’s head appeared above his, grinning. “Gonna show us all your tricks?”
“Oh I’ll show you some tricks,” Ki growled back.
While the other wards similarly bickered with Tarol, Haeric shook his head and looked to Talea. “Thirty seconds. Think you can have them in line by then?”
