Page 35

T he garden bench made a good place to stay out of the way and establish a pattern. Enough people witnessed Rufe coming here every morning with a book. If something happened or something went missing in the castle, they’d likely say, “No, Lord Rufe is always in the gardens at that hour.”

In addition, no one seemed to schedule meetings for him in the mornings. He’d gotten more used to the chill, thanks to Nera’s instructions on how to dress accordingly—mostly, look as much like a bear as possible. He’d even learned how to turn pages of his books while wearing gloves.

Rufe could have stayed inside without the cloak, gloves, and furry hat if castle life hadn’t made him feel out of place. He breathed deeply, watching the steam form whorls that the light breeze batted away.

Despite Vihaan’s arguments, Rufe set him to watching the princes instead of playing bodyguard. Rufe could take care of himself.

Casseign strolled through the garden with unhurried footsteps. “Greetings, Lord Rufe. Fine morn to be out. ”

If Cass said so, tightly wrapped in a fur-lined cloak, his breath fogging before his face, cheeks pink with cold.

“May I join you?”

Rufe nodded.

Cass brushed snow off the bench and sat.

The cheeriness left his voice as he eyed Rufe’s dozing guard on another bench a few yards away.

“I’ve been unable to discover anything about the murdered soldiers.

I only know they were all loyal to me and, therefore, to King Niam.

The ones found in the ravine I’d sent to help guard King Niam the night of the banquet.

The two we took into custody had merely been told by Zanial to hold back at King Niam’s order.

Zanial often relayed orders from the king. ”

“Someone killed the original two to give the assassin access.”

“Yes,” Cass ground out from between gritted teeth. “That and for their uniforms, though I do not know who took them or what their plans are. They might have succeeded with murdering the king if not for you.”

“I once knew of Craicians who used Cormiran uniforms against trusting Dragans.

" The unfortunate farm family still preyed on Rufe's mind. I’m glad I was there.” Gladder than words could ever say.

His heart clenched at the thought of losing Niam, watching him bleed out on the flagstones. “Any word on Zanial?”

“None so far. I’ll keep you informed. I have replaced the two guards who allowed him to slip through their fingers.

Eoghan still insists he saw nothing. The man didn’t simply vanish.

We’ll find him. We’re still searching for Bert, as well.

Once he left the keep, he didn’t return to his parents’ house.

” Cass rose and continued down the path.

Rufe hated this intrigue. Even more so, he hated the threats to Niam’s family.

Light snow had fallen overnight, dusting the ground in white, but not deeply enough to impede walking in normal boots. Rufe found Delletinian thick-soled padded boots uncomfortable. Still, the mostly deserted garden offered a peaceful respite from a far too turbulent palace.

Footsteps sounded on the stone walkway from someone who made no attempt to tread lightly.

Vihaan rounded the corner into view, stopping at Rufe’s bench. Unlike Cass, he didn’t fake a leisurely stroll. “The boys are safe with their grandmother. May I sit?”

Rufe nodded.

Vihaan sat. “Nice morning. Delletina is beautiful, but I wouldn’t want to be here during a bad winter.” He exaggerated a shiver. “The locals claim this one to be mild.” He pulled his fur hat farther over his ears.

“I’ve been here for a deep snow in the pass.” Rufe didn’t add and barely survived. “I must say, I’d rather be in Cormir for the weather.”

Vihaan grinned, waggling his brows. “But here for everything else?”

How could Rufe’s cheeks possibly be flaming after all he’d seen and done in his lifetime? “Delletina has its charms,” was as much confirmation as he’d provide .

Vihaan leaned back, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “That it does. Can I ask you something?”

“Depends on the question.”

Vihaan’s cheeks tinted pink this time, barely visible above his full beard. “You’ve got a reputation for bedding women and men, but, well, is it true?”

“The reputation is earned, I can assure you.” Why did Vihaan want to know something so personal?

“Did you always want both men and women or was it a certain person who made you rethink your preferences?”

Interesting question. As a boy, Rufe admired the sturdy village blacksmith and the local Earl’s comely daughters.

Never one more than the other—until he’d met Niam.

“I’ve always found the bodies of both men and women fascinating, although now I have had all my words to the contrary thrown back in my face by finding one person who has my full attention to where I want no one else.

” Few others would hear such a confession, but Rufe fully trusted Vihaan.

“I’m older than you. I’ve found such a person several times in my life, and sometimes our relationship lasted a while, sometimes it didn’t.” Vihaan stared out at a group of snow-dusted pines. A bright red bird hopped from branch to branch.

“You’re asking all this for reasons, I assume.”

“Yeah, well…” Vihaan scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck, but with the hat, his glove never reached skin. “I’ve always liked women. Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate a nice-looking man, but I’ve never thought about them as more than fellow men. ”

“And now you’re thinking differently.”

Vihaan stayed quiet for many moments, the only sound distant talking and something scurrying in the nearby underbrush. “Seriously thinking about it. Like, every hour of every day thinking about it.”

“Oh, I see.” Rufe attempted to be the voice of reason, saying what he thought level-headed Yarif might say. “I know Jayra’s death came suddenly, and you had an attachment to her—”

Vihaan lifted one massive gloved paw. “She and I tried being lovers once, but I wanted to keep things exclusively between us, which went against her Southern Island upbringing. They think mainlanders are ridiculous to talk monogamy when so few of us keep our vows. She and I decided we were better as friends, though I still cared for her. We hadn’t been lovers in many seasons, so if you think this old ship is seeking any port on the rebound, you’re mistaken. ”

“Casseign,” Rufe said.

“Casseign,” Vihaan agreed. “There’s something about him—I don’t know what, but for someone so much younger than me, he takes care of himself quite well and is easy to talk to.

I don’t tell him everything, and he doesn’t push, but we can talk for hours.

We share many interests, and I want to bring him to my ancestral home and show him around.

” He remained quiet for a few moments. “But it’s more than that.

I can’t look at him without wanting more than simply his friendship.

The night we lay next to each other in the cabin nearly did me in. I wanted to reach out so badly.”

Knowing the behavior Niam and Rufe engaged in on that same floor earlier likely didn’t help matters. “How does he feel?”

“I’m not sure. Like I said, this is new to me. I mean, Jayra was one of only a handful of lovers in my life, as I’m not attracted to many people. I have to know them first, like them, before I go any further. Most folks I meet don’t even want your name.”

Wow. This was so far away from what Rufe believed about most soldiers. “I don’t know what to say. I’m actually happy for you. It’s not every day you meet someone special.”

“Yeah. But I’m older than him, and we’re from different kingdoms. There’s been animosity between Glendor and Delletina in the past. I don’t want to start something doomed to failure.”

“I think you really need to sit down and talk to Casseign. Do you even know if he already has someone?” Never would Rufe have thought of offering such personal advice to anyone, especially not when he’d entered a relationship doomed to failure himself.

“He doesn’t. I don’t know. I’m just being foolish.”

“I don’t think so. Look at Draylon and Yarif.

Or even me and…” Rufe checked to ensure his guard wasn’t close enough to alertness to overhear.

“Niam. I know nothing can come of us. We’ll have to say our goodbyes one day, but I’ve never been happier than in the here and now.

I must be content with what we have.” Even if their love remained hidden.

“I can’t miss out on the best thing in my life because of fear of the end.

” Wow! Keeping things bottled up meant when Rufe opened the bottle, his heart came spewing out.

Relief swept through him, though his confession might not have been much help .

Vihaan stood and clapped Rufe on the shoulder. “Thanks. You’ve been a big help.”

“I have?” How?

“Yes, you have. Now I need to go find a certain Delletinian captain and have a talk.”

“Vihaan? How are the other soldiers treating you?”

“All right. Cass introduced me as a fellow captain to explain why we spend so much time together. He seems well-liked, even if those under his command tease him about his age or lack thereof. I told him I’m the same age, but this is what life on a battlefield does to a man.

Despite past hostilities, locals don’t seem nearly as suspicious of a Glendoran as a Cormiran.

I think they reserve animosity for the nobility.

Commoners believe the evil empire conquered Glendor like they’re trying to conquer Delletina. ”

“You’re convincing them otherwise, aren’t you?”

“Oh, yeah. I’ve told them all about the benefits of free trade, starting with Renvallian tea and ending with Herixian wine.” Vihaan chuckled. “The local supplies aren’t the quality one boasts over.”

“You’re being polite now, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Vihaan shifted his weight to one foot, propping the other on the bench. “I can’t say I’ve ever actually drunk goat piss, but the stuff they call tea in these parts has to be close.”

Rufe snickered. “That bad?” He’d had his share of barely drinkable tea over his military career.

Vihaan nodded, a scowl on his lips. “That bad. Possibly worse. ”

“Have there been discussions among the ranks about missing or killed soldiers?”

“Rumor says a couple are considered deserters, and the deaths are passed off as personal grudges, but I’m keeping my ears open.

It’s amazing the things men say while drinking, especially when they think you can’t understand the language.

” Vihaan lowered his voice. “I worry about Casseign. I don’t want his name appearing on the missing or killed list.” A muscle flexed beneath Vihaan’s beard.

“See to it that doesn’t happen.”

Vihaan gave an exaggerated salute, arm crossed over his chest. “You’ve given me my orders. I shall obey.” He set off along the path, a bit of extra spring in his step.

Maybe there was hope for the two soldiers. There needed to be hope for someone.