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T he stairs seemed endless, leaving Rufe wondering where they were in the castle. When he’d reached the verge of napping on the stairs, Niam pushed open a door.

“Welcome to the temple of the Nameless Goddess,” he said, stepping out with his lantern held high.

Rufe followed into an octagonal room suitable for about one hundred worshippers, with shutter-covered windows on each wall except for one where an arched doorway stood.

Mother said the Unnamed Goddess hailed from another time when the world had yet to divide into kingdoms. Ferunds chose their god of the many available.

Rufe followed the God of War and the Unnamed Goddess, for as a bastard son, many felt he didn’t have the right to the name “Ferund” at all.

An Unnamed Goddess for an unnamed child.

“How long has this temple been unused?” The lack of reverence for the goddess saddened him.

Niam came to stand next to Rufe while Draylon took the lantern and explored the nooks and crannies of the room. “It's used occasionally, I’m sure. Though she’s fallen from popularity, some still worship her. ”

The faceless statue of a woman appeared out of the shadows from the lantern’s glow.

Rufe dropped to his knees, bowing his head.

No priest taught him the proper prayers, but he opened his heart and poured out his fears and hopes, asking for blessings on his union with Niam. Warmth spread through him.

When he rose, Niam leaned in and whispered, “Oh, I see.” He said nothing else and urged Rufe to follow Draylon with a hand on the small of his back.

If Draylon noticed Rufe’s prayers, he didn’t let on. Maybe he’d known all along who Rufe worshipped besides the God of War. Perhaps he didn’t, but Rufe took comfort in a goddess with few followers, as a child, thinking she’d have more time for him.

A bar sealed the front entrance inside the door, and tightly closed shutters prevented anyone outside from seeing the light.

A long hallway led off the main sanctuary.

In warm Cormira, the hallway would be open to the outside.

Here snow through much of the seasons required changes to the original design.

They found a windowless room at the end of the hallway nearly as large as the sanctuary, with tables for eating and preparing food.

Another room, though empty, might have once been an office, leaving six more doors.

They found a modest, narrow bed in each, made with clean linens.

Yes, Nera definitely sent the faithful or even made the beds herself, not knowing how many she might need to hide.

The beds were too narrow to fit Draylon properly, with his height and broad shoulders .

Rufe glanced from a bed to Niam. It seemed they wouldn’t be sharing tonight, not that he could do more than sleep. A noise sounded behind them, and they all spun, drawing their weapons and returning to the common area. A basket now sat on a table.

Upon closer inspection, the wall contained a sliding portal for worshippers to open and insert offerings. Glorious scents wafted from the basket. Rufe opened the lid to find bread, three bowls and spoons, a bottle of wine, and a container of stew.

They divided the offerings, sat at a table, and ate silently, passing the bottle between them until they’d emptied all the bowls and the wine.

Rufe packed the dishes, returned them to the basket, and put it on the table.

Tomorrow, wouldn't the worshippers be surprised to find the goddess had accepted the gifts, unaware that Nera sent a basket filled with a meal, not just assorted offerings?

Draylon lit another lantern, leaving the original for Rufe and Niam, and said, “I’m exhausted but will take the first watch if needed.” His hopeful voice suggested a preference for not being needed.

“Mother said this place is secure,” Niam replied. “You can trust in her. There’s a privy on the far side of the office.”

Draylon nodded and ambled from the room.

Rufe yawned, stretching out his back.

Niam approached from behind, enfolding Rufe in his arms. “Not what I’d imagined for your first day in your new home.”

Home. Rufe finally had a home. Not his parents’ or brother’s house, but a home he’d make with Niam. “Nothing in my life ever happens quite to plan. ”

“In my mind, I’d explain our bonding to the boys, and we’d have a banquet where I’d introduce you as my consort.”

Consort. Standing before a throng of strangers, being named as someone they must obey. Well, if many soldiers had no problem obeying Rufe, what were a few thousand Delletinian citizens?

“All that matters is I’m with you, and I no longer have to wonder if I could watch you marry another.” Rufe turned in Niam’s arms, pressing their mouths together. His body tried valiantly for arousal, but immediately demanded sleep instead. He couldn’t fight another yawn.

Niam chuckled. “Tonight won’t be a repeat of the bonding night, but I do wish I could hold you.”

Hand in hand, they strode to the bedrooms to discover Draylon had placed two mattresses side by side on the floor of one. Unnamed Goddess, bless Draylon.

Rufe rolled over, wrapping himself around Niam. Somewhere outside, roosters crowed. Morning. The gravity of their situation hit. So much to do and think of to keep his family safe.

His family. He kissed the back of Niam’s neck, taking a moment to enjoy holding his man.

If only they could stay in bed forever. No use putting off the inevitable.

Rufe rose to start the day, promising he’d take care of his morning erection needs later, and stumbled through the darkened hallways to the kitchen, where sunlight peeked in through the shutters.

The table once more yielded a basket of food: boiled eggs, fruit, bread, and cheese, along with a carafe of milk, though different from the cow’s milk he usually drank. Sheep, perhaps? He’d broken his fast with worse.

Draylon joined him at the table, quietly helping himself to the repast. “I expected to be awakened in the night. It’s morning now, and we have no time to waste.”

Pounding came from down the hallway. Rufe charged to the sanctuary, the thudding of Draylon’s boots behind him.

Had Whreyn found them?

The pounding stopped and started again, but more of a tapping this time. Tap, tap, tap. Tap, tap, tappity, tap.

Rufe snickered, singing along with the rapping. “Hey, lovely barmaid, bring me some ale….”

Draylon grinned, lifting the bar for the door.

Vihaan strolled in, wrapped in a cloak. “Queen Nera sends her regards.” Snow drifted down behind him before he closed the door. He shook the cloak and his hair. “It’s freezing out there.” He twisted his head right and left. “Hey, where’s the fire?”

“What fire?” Draylon asked.

His meaning hit. “Draylon,” Rufe murmured in reverent tones. “It’s warm in here. Yet there’s no fire.”

Niam wandered from the hallway. “A hot spring lies under the temple. Though most people use other entrances, we’ll find a warm bathing pool if we travel below ground. Only temple dwellers and guests could use the access beneath our feet.”

“Warm pool? Why didn’t you tell me last night?” Why had Niam kept such important knowledge to himself? Rufe would’ve stayed awake for a nice bath. Maybe.

“Because we’d have had to venture outside where others could see us,” Niam replied with a yawn.

“Oh.”

Niam kissed Rufe’s nose. “I promise to show it to you sometime.”

Vihaan cleared his throat. “Our scouts spotted a regiment of Herixian soldiers—fewer than the Craicians, but experienced in snow, cold, and mountain tactics, so we might be evenly matched despite our Glendorans' lack of high-altitude combat experience. However, the Craicians might have backup coming, too. I predict our soldiers will be here by noon.” He addressed Draylon.

“I thought you might like to ride out to meet them with me.”

“I’ll come.” How dare they not include Rufe?

Vihaan and Draylon both glared. Draylon spoke, “You’re the consort and, as such, are too important to risk. Besides, some know you as a diplomat, but most here don’t know you as a warrior.”

Vihaan’s lips twitched into a lazy grin. “I’d love to see the surprise on their faces when they find out. But, come on. We need to move. It’s late morning.”

Late morning! They slept far longer than intended.

Vihaan continued, “I’ve got mules waiting in the trees with Cass.

Um, I mean, Captain Casseign. He’s told me of caves where our soldiers can hide until needed.

He’s already ordered supplies from someone he says he can trust.” One side of Vihaan’s mustache lifted.

“Actually, they’re being stolen from the shipment Whreyn intended for the Craicians. ”

“I do like how that man thinks.” Draylon dashed back into the kitchen area and returned with a chunk of cheese, wiping milk from his mouth. “Lead on.”

Vihaan donned his furred cloak again, which turned out to be two, and he handed one to Draylon. They appeared more like two bears than two men, dressed in furs. It’d be a wonder if they didn’t scare the mules.

They left, closing the door behind them. At last, Rufe was alone with his husband. “What now?”

“Now, we return to Mother’s rooms. I know she has a plan. And for her sake, I hope the Herixians brought wine.”

Rufe could think of more pleasant ways to spend their time, but duty called. He barely restrained a put-upon sigh while following Niam back to the castle.