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Vihaan arrived on foot a few moments later, saluting with his arm over his chest. He eyed Niam briefly, but his lengthy study of Captain Casseign bordered on rude.

Rufe was ready to charge into Renvalle Castle and demand Draylon’s release when a horse barreled from the gates and up the hill, an imposing figure on his back. Draylon!

Bypassing questions, Draylon dismounted and wrapped Yarif in a gentle embrace. “It’s over.”

“Really?” Yarif mumbled into Draylon’s chest. “What about the children?”

Vihaan bowed. “Once things settle, May will send someone to retrieve them from Countess Exa, Your Majesty. Formidable woman, May. She might work in the kitchens, but I’d gladly go into battle with her. ”

Worry lines eased from Yarif’s features. “If they’re with the countess, she’s taken good care of the twins, though they might not want to return.”

“Why not?” Vihaan lifted a bemused brow.

“Exa raises horses and dogs. The twins love both.”

Questions could wait for later. Right now, Rufe would cling to Draylon’s words: It’s over.

Rufe wanted a bed. An honest to goddess bed, with clean sheets, a soft mattress…

and a certain, red-haired king. He hoped he’d be assigned a room with a hidden passage to wherever Niam was.

But he needed to focus on the here and now, as the new Emperor Avestan met Niam. Please let this meeting go well.

Avestan sat at the head of a long table, with Yarif, Draylon, Niam, two trusted advisors, and a bandaged Rufe. Draylon’s handpicked guards stood against the walls.

Niam eyed Avestan from across the vast expanse of oak, yet still managed to cast interested glances at Rufe while trying to appear not to. If he was as tired as Rufe, he wouldn’t be at his best in hiding.

Vihaan, and commanders from the other kingdoms of the empire, filled out the room.

Avestan stood. Others started to, but he held up a staying hand.

“Remain seated. Many of you came a long way and are undoubtedly tired. I’ll make this brief.

Earlier today, my father suffered from an ailment of the heart.

I’m grateful that my brother and I were both there at the end.

In keeping with local tradition, his body is to be burned.

We will hold his funeral in Cormir as soon as arrangements are complete. ”

He didn’t mention his coronation when he’d officially gain the title of emperor.

Avestan continued, “Now, you may have heard rumors of my father plotting with others to invade Delletina. As many of you joined together to prevent war, it’s only fair that you be told the details. Draylon?”

Draylon regarded his brother with an arched brow.

Avestan nodded, and Draylon began, “The situation we’re here to discuss is to be kept in the deepest confidence, though you know most of it.

Emperor Soland Aravaid conspired with Commander Illa Trandores to lure King Lleval into a trap, then kidnapped King Consort Yarif to try to force conflict between Cormir and Delletina, to take Delletina with her newfound gold mines, into the empire.

They planned to kill the king consort to fulfill their aims and possibly conspired with Craice. ”

Grumbles arose. Avestan’s eyes misted, but he held his head high. Concern for Draylon. Or had Yarif wormed his way into yet another royal heart?

Draylon continued, “Instead, Renvalle and Delletina formed an alliance.” The comments were more subdued. The news must have shocked no one, not when Delletina showed up to support Renvalle’s rulers .

King Niam replied, “Emperor Soland tried to take by force what we would have justly offered out of friendship. Delletina is willing to discuss the possibility of joining the empire, but that is a topic for another day. I’m attending merely as a courtesy for offering my support.”

One by one, the commanders of the five kingdoms swore their allegiance to the new emperor.

All regarded Niam.

Avestan saved him. “Maybe one day King Niam of Delletina will do the same. Until then, he’s an honored guest.

Rufe regarded each in turn. Their fealty mattered little if their respective kings and queens didn’t acknowledge Avestan’s right to rule, though he couldn’t imagine why they wouldn’t, given Avestan would be a much better emperor than Soland.

He’d heard rumors while waiting for the meeting about a guard killing Soland to protect Avestan. Draylon’s evasiveness spoke of more to the story. Rufe wouldn’t pry. Draylon would tell him more if Rufe needed to hear.

Avestan finally dismissed the military, keeping only a few guards, Niam, Draylon, Yarif, and Vihaan.

Rufe wouldn’t question, just count his blessings at being allowed to leave. As he passed Draylon’s chair, he leaned in and whispered, “Whatever you do, don’t let anyone tattoo Yarif’s hand.”

Just as quietly, Draylon answered, “I won’t.”

May waited for Rufe in the hallway. “I’ve found the perfect room for you.” Rufe stumbled along behind her .

Thankfully, she didn’t take him far, stopping at a nearby door. “I’ve arranged a bath, meal, and wine for you, as well as clothing. Eat, bathe, rest.”

“What about…?”

May winked. “I’m sure you’ll find all you need in the room. If not, ring for a maid. They’ll know where to find me.”

She turned and sauntered off, far too smug in Rufe’s opinion. He opened the door and stepped into his accommodations. A single room, with no sitting area. Just a bedroom. As promised, a steaming tub sat before a roaring fire, scented with herbs.

The room seemed rather plain in comparison with the castle in Cormira, but far nicer than many places he’d slept. For its small size, it still seemed so big and lonely.

Rufe dropped his clothes where he stood and stepped into the soothing water, determined to wipe politics from his mind. Niam kept returning to his thoughts—he was always welcome there.

Rufe lay in the tub until the water turned cool, pondering all the sudden changes in his life.

While Soland wasn’t exactly the picture of youthful exuberance, surely, he’d not been angry enough to cause a heart attack.

Then again, it was Soland. With all the evasiveness, there had to be more to the story.

Then he finally lathered, rinsed, and stepped out.

A towel and clothing waited on a nearby chair.

A dressing gown would do for now. Rufe wrapped the luxurious silken garment around himself and wandered over to a window facing the mountains.

The mountains. So close and yet so far away.

The sun’s last rays illuminated the landscape.

A small table and two chairs sat nearby. He sank down, drinking the wine but barely picking at the fruit, cheese, meat, and bread. Where was Niam? What was he doing now? Would he and Avestan get along? Rufe still hoped so.

He grew too tired to stay awake and finally climbed into the bed. No matter how much he tried to wait, he succumbed to sleep.

A whispered, “Rufe?” brought him instantly awake, searching the ground for his sword. Oh. No ground. Soft bed.

“Rufe?” the voice asked again.

By the light of the dying fire, he watched a dark shape cross the room. “Niam? What are you doing here?” Rufe’s sleep-deprived brain might’ve conjured the man.

“I… I’m sorry. A servant called May told me… I’ll go.”

Rufe sprang from the bed, intercepting Niam before he reached the door. “It’s not that I don’t want you here, it’s merely that I don’t quite believe you’re here. Goddess, I’ve been thinking of you ever since I left the meeting.” He brushed a brief kiss over Niam’s lips.

“I must admit, I had trouble concentrating. I can’t remember a single commander’s name except for Vihaan. He’s too big to forget.”

“How did things go with the emperor?” Rufe placed a hand on the small of Niam’s back, guiding him toward the bed .

“I believe I can work with him. He’s more than fair. We discussed what each brings to the table, and how to best help the other kingdoms. I’m excited about the future. Nervous, yes, but I believe good things can come of today.”

Niam filled Rufe in on political details, while Rufe divested his king of his garments. “Wait, these aren’t the clothes you wore earlier.”

“I took a bath and changed before coming to you.” Niam threw off the rest of his clothes to stand naked before Rufe. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment all day.”

Rufe flopped down onto the bed, dragging Niam with him. They kissed, and Niam's desperate moans showed Rufe how much he'd been missed and desired.

They lay on their sides facing each other, Rufe hard but wanting to take in the moment, Niam’s face bathed in firelight.

The moment their lips touched again, the door flew open.

“Captain Rufe? I’d like to talk to….” Avestan stood just inside the doorway, a look of shocked horror on his face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

Rufe scrambled over Niam, grabbing his dressing gown from the floor. He’d lost any sense of modesty years ago, dressing in the barracks.

Avestan averted his gaze. “We can talk later….”

Rufe followed him out of the room, closing the door behind him. “You didn’t see that,” he insisted.

Avestan’s horrified expression shifted into a grin. “Does Draylon know? ”

“What business is it of his?” Rufe folded his arms over his chest, trying to glower.

He chuckled. “I didn't exactly hide it from him.” Why did Avestan ask?

Did he know Rufe and Draylon had been occasional lovers in the past, or was he simply convinced that Rufe and Draylon told each other everything?

“Good. I’m sorry I interrupted, but I’ll be heading back to Cormir soon, and I came to let you know I promoted you to commander, with Draylon’s recommendation.”

“Commander?” Did that mean going back to Cormir? Rufe missed the warmth of his homeland, but he’d miss Niam more. Still, Commander? Pretty good for a social outcast.

“However,” Avestan continued, “considering new information, I just might have greater plans for you.” He grinned again.

Not good

Niam threw the door open, fully clothed. “Your Majesty, I….”

“No need to explain anything, King Niam. You’ll find I’m surprisingly discreet for a royal.

Now, as too many are used to informality where Rufe is concerned, let’s find you a room where you’re less likely to be disturbed, and I’m told there’s a secret access.

And I’ll have Draylon explain my new plans tomorrow. ”