Interlude: Elsewhere, Magic Awakens

The Wolf King

King Raniere of Rastan dismounted his horse and slung his bow over one shoulder, and checked his knife on his hip. He hadn’t hunted in a year and it felt good to be back to it. The stag was near, he could feel it, in his bones, the way he always could, the way his brothers always could.

He’d gone out alone this time though, he needed time to think. Kristoff had asked to go to Phania, again, but he still had no word from Daniel on an invitation. He hated keeping his brother from the woman he loved, but Kristoff’s stormy mood wasn’t worth snapping the fragile string of their alliance with Phania. Rila was nagging him about Gregor, who’d gotten into another brawl in the school room, while Richard and Mikhail had sent a tenth governess in fourteen months packing. His sister mothering their youngest brothers was soothing her, for the moment, but he could feel her about to shatter, she’d soon tire of it, and he knew it. A restless Rila was bad for all of them. Nikolai had disappeared into an affair with a trader from Failon and they hadn’t seen him in a month. He was tired, and his family was wearing on his last nerve.

And none of that addressed what the hell he was going to do about Annalise, and the way her marriage to Eric would place her in a greater position of power he was fully comfortable with, especially without a strong alliance.

He glanced up at the moon and took a deep breath, and saw the stag standing before him, too far to shoot, he ran rather than go back to the horse, his feet padding against the snow and his body moving swiftly, he smelled it, heard it’s heart, his body lengthened, his hands fell in front of him and he ran, feet and hands gone, they were paws now, his senses heightened, and he leapt as he caught his prey by the throat.

The Handmaiden

Talia Warwick sat on the back deck of the villa on the beach, a parting present from Prince Eric, much better than the gowns or jewelry her other “suitors” presented her with. His way, she’d realized, of letting her know that what was between them had mattered to him as much as his forthcoming marriage did.

She gasped as rising out of the seafoam in front of her were two women. No, not women, though they were female, naked, their skin shimmering between green and blue, with large silver wings that matched the color of the foam, they regarded her, one nodding solemnly, and the other raising her hand in greeting.

“Hail sister,” she said, her voice sounding like an echo.

“Hail,” Talia said, terrified, and in disbelief that her voice worked at all.

“We go to serve and save our queen, now,” the other said with a wild smile, “you will do the same?” Talia nodded.

“Until my last breath,” she said. They nodded, and flew off.

Talia knew that didn’t mean Elana. She’d never sworn herself to Elana.

Talia had been born to see Karina crowned and to serve her.

The Serpent & The Princess

Jaden Larsen stood in the crow’s nest scanning the horizon. He glanced down at the deck and saw Princess Karina arguing with the Admiral again.

“We will go where I say,” Karina said. “I want to go to Dovetail.”

“I don’t take my orders from you,” Franz growled and Jaden climbed down to meet them. “Your father is indulging you even allowing you on this ship.” The Princess glared at the Admiral.

“I haven’t heard from Lady Katrin since she arrived in Brightcoast,” Karina hissed. “I want to know why.”

“You haven’t?” Jaden said. She looked at him. He hadn’t heard from Kat either, but Karina not hearing from her was more troubling. She shook her head.

“Princess, I cannot invade Cammadan on your whim,” Franz said. “Lieutenant, explain to her.” Jaden nodded and he marched away.

“Something is wrong,” Karina said. Jaden nodded. “Something has shifted, I can feel it, and I need to see Kat, I need to.” He took her hand. “Kristoff is in pain, I can feel that too. It’s too much, and it hurts.” Karina had always seen and understood things that she maybe shouldn’t. He and Kat had talked about it, if something had shifted she was feeling even more and from at a distance, he didn’t know how to help.

“It’ll be alright,” he said gently, “I promise, Kari, I do,” she nodded and they heard a shout from the edge of the deck.

“Living gods!” The sailor said, they ran to the edge and saw it. A gigantic golden serpent had risen out of the waves.

“Goddess,” Karina mumbled. Jaden looked at her. “They did it.”

“Who?” He asked. “And what?”

“Annalise and Marina,” Karina whispered, “they freed the gods, magic is back.”

“Magic never went anywhere,” he frowned. Karina smirked at him.

“Old Magic did, my family’s,” she exhaled. Jaden shuddered. The thought of that chilled him, though it seemed to comfort the Princess.

The Shadow Queen

Delia Bettencourt sat quietly in the dark room, the shadows she’d commanded all her life, dancing around her. They were playful today, excited and a little wild.

“Delia,” the door opened, Lord Andrew Bryant, the man who’d raised her walked in. His dark hair was combed and he was dressed in finery. “What is this?”

“They’re unruly,” she sighed. His blue eyes met her grey and she pulled the shadows in. “What is it?”

“They would like to speak with you Princess,” he smirked. She nodded and followed him outside the room. “Has something happened?”

“I haven’t seen anything since that evening I was pulling to Annalise,” Delia shook her head. “Why?” They entered the parlor and Wyatt and Morgan Allred were sitting. Of course.

“Princess,” Count Allred smiled at her.

“Count,” she said coolly. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“We’ve been told that Annalise is in Westran,” The Count said. “And she is bringing the Phanian prince with her.”

“And this means?” Delia raised an eyebrow. Gods, Allred was tedious.

“Delia,” Andrew said gently, “It means your time is coming.” Her shadows danced on her finger tips.

“My time?” She said. “I thought you wished to crown the other one,” Allred cleared his throat as she made her shadow dance around him. “What made you change your mind?” The count swallowed, and Lady Morgan’s eyes were wide. “My darling niece seems to have accomplished her goal. Perhaps you should adjust your plans.” She circled the black shadow around his neck.

“N-no, Princess,” Allred stuttered, “I am your servant.” She smirked and pulled the shadow in.

“Good,” she rose. “Get me my crown, then.”

The Dragon Rider

The girl in the shabby brown dress, her red hair tied on top of her head in a messy knot, heaved the bucket into the water into a trough when she heard the wings beating above her, a sound like thunder and rain, but steady in a way they didn’t get out here.

“Living gods,” she whispered as the four creatures, scaly like the lizards that sunned themselves on the rocks in the desert, but large bat like wings and four legs, and long tales and claws flew by. Three flew off into the sun but one, a deep purple like a quartz, and horns the color of amber, with glowing yellow eyes to match landed before her.

“Hello Danna Finn,” it’s voice boomed loud and deep. “I have slept for centuries and was glad to wake and know you were here.” She blinked.

“You know me?” She asked. The beast bowed it’s head.

“I have waited for you since I was hatched,” it said, “and dreamt of you while I slept,” she exhaled, “and known you since you took your first breath.”

“I don’t understand,” she shook her head. Her Da had told her stories of such creatures, and the brave folk who rode them, but those people were heroes, magicians and kings. She was most certainly not any of that. “I’m no one.” It snorted, as if amused.

“You are Danna Finn,” it said simply, “and you are mine. I am Seshi, Lord of Dragons, and I have claimed you, at last.” She looked at the dragon and reached out and stroked his nose. “We will speak again soon.” He purred and then took off into the sky.

“Danna,” the angry male voice called from inside. “What’s taking so damn long?” She exhaled. She’d spent too long in the sun, she was hallucinating. That had to be it.

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Interlude: Lefty

Damian Lestoff exhaled and gripped Nikolai’s hair as the Prince of Rastan took him into his mouth. They were leaving in the morning and Lefty had dodged Nicky’s sister to make this rendezvous occur.

He’d enjoyed Rila during this visit and he knew the royals saw him as little more than a shared toy, but he’d play back.

“Gods, Nicky, that’s good,” he mumbled before letting out a groan, pulling away and finishing with a grunt. He fell back against the bed.

“Couldn’t let you leave without having some fun,” Nicky laughed sliding up and kissing him.

“I’ve had plenty of fun,” Lefty smirked. “Your sister is very accommodating.” Nicky huffed.

“Please don’t talk about my sister while I’m holding my cock,” he said, “you could stay.”

“Eric has orders,” Lefty shrugged. “He’s supposed to marry Annalise.”

“Mm,” Nicky kissed him and pulled close, “then he and Raniere will both be kings and can sit around all their lives comparing their crowns.” Lefty laughed and kissed him and wrapped a hand around his cock and began stroking. “Unh,” Nikolai exhaled.

“What’s your stable boy going to say about tonight? Hm?” Lefty teased.

“Ash isn’t,” Nikolai grunted, “a servant. He’s the best damn breeder and racer in Rastan.”

“As you say, Your Highness,” Lefty laughed and kissed him. “But you didn’t want him tonight? He could have joined us.”

“I don’t want to share you,” Nikolai growled. That was bullshit. Lefty had felt it while his lover tossed him to his sister. Nikolai got off on the idea that Lefty was desired by others in his orbit but would always come back to him. “I want to be in you, Damian.”

It had been a mistake to invite Nicky to call him by his first name. It was too intimate, it made him melt. He rolled over, rose up on his knees and Nikolai came behind him and kissed his neck.

They’d arrived in Cammadan, in Dovetail. Navigating the river into the dug out lakeside port had at least been a challenge but Lefty already felt like the city was cutting off his air. He needed to see the south sea, breathe it in, and bathe in it.

“Dress uniform,” Eric said walking into his cabin. Lefty raised an eyebrow at him.

“For you and Raymond, certainly,” he shrugged. “I’ll stay here.”

“Lefty,” Eric met his eyes. “Please, I need you for this. I have no idea what I’m doing.” Lefty smirked.

“Are you asking for help, wooing, little brother?” He sat up.

“No,” Eric said flatly. “I’m asking you to put on the damn uniform and stand next to me.”

“The secret,” Lefty grinned, “is to listen. Pay attention, make her feel as if she’s the only woman in the world. That you would die for her.”

“Annalise is a queen not a tavern wench,” Eric said with a sigh, “and she needs a husband not an orgasm.”

“Dunno,” Lefty said with a shrug, “thinking how frustrated Elana gets and how frosty your other brother is, she might need both.” Eric stared at him placidly.

“Are you done?” Eric raised an eyebrow. Lefty shrugged and stood up. “Don’t disrespect Elana that way, first of all, and second of all, if you really plan to seduce the Dugarry girl, you’d at least better try to look your best.” Lefty laughed and Eric turned to leave.

“Eric,” he said and his brother stopped. “It’s going to be fine.” Eric smiled softly, and nodded.

Lefty dressed and came above board quickly. He looked to the dock and saw her a froze. A daughter of Tumona, undeniably, her dark curly hair pulled off her face in a knot, dressed in a simple blue gown, standing beside a handsome white man with red hair who’d made her laugh.

That must be her. Eric’s queen. And Lefty wanted her, more damned him.

He’d never been happier to be wrong. Not that it changed much. No matter how much he wanted Duchess Marina SanPierre he couldn’t have her. But at least he wouldn’t have to watch her with his brother, wed him, bear his children.

At the ball that night he watched her, twinkling and flirting, her white gold gown revealing her neck and shoulders. Goddess, he wanted to kiss that neck, strip the gown off her and run his hands over her body and make her coo and sigh, melt into him and beg.

Two guards watched her every move, Dugarry, with some kind of leery protectiveness, and another, dark haired and soft looking with a sort of pained longing. She’d argued with him earlier, on the balcony and it had been subtle but he’d noticed.

He’d managed some conversation, perhaps even to flirt, but when her bright brown eyes fixed on him, in a sort of confusion he felt himself shrink. Her confusion was kinder than disgust, but she surely knew who he was and considered him well beneath her notice. Even if she weren’t the single most beautiful woman he’d ever lain eyes on, she was a duchess. He was the spawn of a ferryman and a whore.

After the ball he made his way back to the apartment where they’d put him, Eric and Raymond. Raymond was sitting on the balcony his feet kicked up.

“So,” Lefty leaned against the door, “what do we think?” Raymond looked at him sardonically, resembling his sister more than made Lefty comfortable.

“The queen is hiding something,” Raymond said. Lefty nodded, he’d gotten that sense too. Annalise had been friendly, but was clearly keeping Eric at arm’s length. Raymond eyed him. “The Duchess was involved with one of the guards but it apparently has ended.”

“Tristan Dugarry?” Lefty tried. Raymond shook his head.

“The name being gossiped about was Santino,” Raymond shrugged, “Dugarry is with the queen, apparently.” That was a complication.

“Do you think that’s the secret?” Lefty said. “She has a lover?” Raymond shrugged again. “Eric won’t like that.”

“No,” Raymond agreed, “he won’t.” He looked down. “What else do you want to know about her?” Lefty grinned at his friend.

“What else were you able to find out?” He asked. He wanted to know everything about her.

He’d made her laugh, when he’d asked to kiss her, she hadn’t said no, he watched her, something was happening with Dugarry, but he wasn’t sure what, and now, she was asking to dance with him, and flirting and gods, he wanted her so badly.

“Were I to compare the light I’ve seen in your eyes to the stars,” he whispered seductively, “the stars would be found woefully in adequate,” Marina swallowed and met his eyes. He wasn’t exaggerating, she was so bright, so stunning, he lips curved up into a smile, and she burst into a laugh. He blushed.

“And this works with most girls?” She said incredulously. He smirked.

“Yes,” he admitted, “but as I said, I’ve never been with a politician.” She paused then and leaned close. Too close, so close. Rana save him, let him have this, even if it was only this, as she kissed him. “Well then, perhaps I should stick to the stars,” he managed to mutter when they parted. She giggled again and kissed him again. He gathered her into his arms. It was enough, this moment, it would be enough, he swore.

She could never be his. He knew this. But he could have this moment with her, innocent, perfect.

She’d been standing on the dock like one of the Glora and he’d brought her on board, below decks, to his cabin.

“Have you had a lot of girls here?” She asked. Her voice light and teasing. But something was wrong, her eyes were heavy, the light sharp.

“Here,” he said, “you’d be the first.” She smiled and settled on the bed. “You seem preoccupied.”

“Distract me then,” Marina said. A challenge. He crawled on top of her and kissed her deeply.

“I’m in deeper trouble with you than I’ve ever been in my life,” he admitted.

“I’ve known this kind of trouble before,” she whispered back. “It’s the other thing for me.” They kissed again hard. “Be patient with me?”

“Forever,” he cooed. She nodded and they kissed more, hard, fevered, “Marina,” he said as he slid his hands over her thighs. The heat between them rose, unbearable, but also impossible to resist.

“Love me, please,” she whimpered. They kept kissing. “Love me, touch me, I need you.” It was too much.

“I do love you,” he whispered, “forever, I need you, love you.” It was a vow, he realized. There was no one and nothing else, just Marina.

“How tedious,” Brayton Dovetail smirked pushing him aside. Damian felt himself choking as the shadow consumed him. A laugh, distant, female, soft, and then sharp, like a needle.

“Who do you think you are Damian Lestoff?” The Dark Lady appeared before him. “To stand in the way of those that I ordained be together.” He gasped.

“I love her,” he whispered. “She chose,” Amina laughed.

“You can do nothing for her,” she said, “even now, she dreams of leaving you for another of mine.” He swallowed. “You cannot protect her from her destiny.” He fell back and light bloomed in front of him.

“Don’t let go of my hand, Dami,” his mother’s voice said. “Don’t you dare.”

He jolted awake and Marina was sitting beside him and wiped his forehead.

“Hello my love,” he whispered. She smiled softly. Already she dreams of another one of mine, he wanted to hold her close, to shelter her. But he couldn’t, he wouldn’t hold her back, even if it destroyed him.

Marina was lounging, naked in the apartment in Rastan. He looked at her as he rose to get dressed. His relief these past few weeks at being near her again was starting to subside and he was starting to notice her. How she’d changed and how she hadn’t. She’d grown more beautiful, her body softening into irresistible curves and the light in her eyes playful and sharp. Her shyness was almost completely gone, though he watched her deploy it strategically with Rastani courtiers, and even with the royal family. When he’d first fallen in love with her he’d seen that side of her, political, intelligent, cunning. And yet it was still tempered by her unending kindness, that light of compassion that lit everything she did.

“You don’t have to go yet,” Marina whispered. He looked at her and smiled.

“You have to get ready,” he said sadly. “Raniere is waiting.” She sighed and played with the cover.

“You’re upset about it,” she said. “That I like him.” He sighed and sat with her.

“I never expected you to not like him,” he said, “I don’t like this. You’re not safe. I hate that Brayton is always watching you, that you ever have to see him, and I hate how he looks at you.” Her smiled curled, cat like, a little devious.

“And how does he look at me?” She asked.

“Like he wants you,” Lefty sighed. “Which he does.” She shrugged. “That doesn’t bother you.”

“Most men want me,” she said, “I’m used to it.” It wasn’t arrogance, he realized or even confidence, just fact. “They look at me, and they want my body, my beauty, my magic, my position,” he sat down and pushed her hair off her face. “Even you, my love.”

“Of course I want you,” he said, “I’ve wanted almost nothing else since I saw you for the first time.” She smiled. “It isn’t the same, I love you.”

“What if I told you I’d never lift a finger to help Pharras?” She said softly, “or my power threatened Kat? Or I’d been a good little girl and married Kieran Franz to ease the way for Annalise and Eric?” He drew back. “You wouldn’t love me then, but I bet you’d still want me.”

“I’d still love you,” he whispered. “That’s never changing, Rina, you could never do anything to make me stop loving you.” She kissed him again and pulled him close. “Marina,” he groaned. “Raniere will be waiting, Brayton,” she kissed him deeply.

“Let him wait,” she mumbled, “let Brayton tear his hair out trying to figure out where I am. I’m with you, this is us, nothing can touch us.”

He stared dumbfounded at the spot in the ice garden. Gone, simply gone, as if they hadn’t been here at all. He’d been so close, he should have struck, should have killed them, should have saved her.

She’ll never be safe with you, a voice in his mind, the one that had haunted for years, who are you to protect her? If you’d let her be she’d have been safe, her queen, her witch, they would have protected her.

“Lefty,” Eric was calling through his stupor, “Lefty,” he turned to his brother, “come on, we have to make decisions.” He stared straight at him.

“You do whatever you must,” he marched past him to his room and began packing. Carolina tried to calm him down, it didn’t work, but he heaved his sack onto his shoulders. He would prepare the ship, let the rest of them dither. Nika and Annalise would know what to do, he had to keep her safe, it was all he could do.

“Where is she?” Raniere’s voice was sharp, as he blocked him in the hallway. Lefty sneered at the king. “She did not simply disappear.”

“She did actually,” Lefty bit back. “With your advisor, in fact.” He laughed darkly. “Are you so blind, Your Majesty?” Raniere blinked at him.

“She wouldn’t,” he said, “he wouldn’t. I trust Braga with my life, and Marina.” Lefty barked out a laugh.

“You’re a bigger fool than I thought,” he muttered, “Brayton Dovetail has been spilling poison in your ear, and now he’s taken her.” Raniere stared at him.

“I have tolerated your presence in my home, and the disruption of it,” Raniere said, “because of my brother and sister’s fondness for you, but I will not tolerate,” Lefty stepped closer.

“Tolerate it or not, Your majesty,” he hissed, “I am going to find the woman I love and bring her home.”

“The woman you love,” Raniere said. Lefty glared at him.

“You’re blind, Raniere, and I will not waste a minute I could be helping her forcing you to see,” he shouted. “He tricked you, and lured her here with an offer she could not refuse for the sake of her home.” Raniere glared at him. The fight continued, but he wasn’t speaking rationally, he needed to get to her.

He sat by her bedside as she thrashed and screamed. He wanted to touch her, hold her comfort her.

“If she comes back from this,” Nika said gently appearing in the door, “it will be because you’re here.” He looked at her.

“I tried a million times these past four years to hate you,” he whispered. She smiled. “But from her letters she seemed so happy.” She exhaled.

“She wasn’t,” Nika whispered. “She ached for you every minute. She tried to hide it, I tried to ignore it.” She looked at her. “She loved me as much as she could, but her heart ceased being her own a long time ago.” He exhaled. “She won’t ever give Tristan up.”

“I know,” he whispered.

“I couldn’t accept it,” Nika said, “you were different, but him.” She looked down. “I don’t know, it seems silly right now.” He inhaled. “What will you do about the child?” He pressed his hands together and leaned his face into them.

“When my mother died,” he whispered, “and my father married Aimee, I became hers, because she loved my father and so she loved me.” Nika nodded. “I love Marina, the child will be hers, so I will love the child.” It was that simple.

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Note: And The End Begins…

Hello!

Hi everyone! I hope you enjoyed Year 5. I liked writing it. (Though it was hard. Man, it took a lot out of me…)

We’re moving into the endgame and Year 6 is going to start posting next….drumrolll please….Tuesday.

That’s right friends. I got enough done ahead of time on Year 6 that at least for now, I’m going to do BI WEEKLY posts. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also, while this is going to wrap up Marina, Annalise, Athena and Carolina’s stories, there are plenty of stories left to tell in this world and I intend to tell them. (And even if I didn’t really want to I have this feeling that if I didn’t at the very least write a short story where Prior gets a happy ending, Kristi would stop speaking to me, and I happen to like speaking to Kristi.)

But we have to get to the end first. Annalise and Eric have a wedding to fight for, the gods need to be freed, and a few other confrontations are on their way. In the meantime, A Gathering Of Desert And Ice (Book 4) is going to be available on October 15 (Preorders for Ebooks here!) , and I’m going to be hard at work getting Book 5 into shape while writing Year 6.

Anyway, we’re starting on Year 6 on Tuesday!

WOO HOOO!

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Interlude: A Voice On The Wind

Danna

Danna Finn woke up and stretched cracking her neck on each side, the sun must have been up for hours, because it was blaring through the window. The man next to her grunted and rolled over and pulled her close.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He kissed her neck, and his hands were holding her just a little tighter than necessary for affection.

“I gotta get to work,” she mumbled, squirming a little. One hand ran down between her legs the other up to her breast. “Cole, come on,” she exhaled. How could he possibly want more? They’d gone for hours the night before.

“I’ve told you that you don’t have to work anymore,” he whispered, but finally let her go. She rolled her eyes and found her dress on the ground and pulled it over her head. “You’re my girl, I’m gonna take care of you.”

“Tanner’s been good to me,” she kissed him gently. “I don’t want to leave him in a lurch.” Cole snorted.

“That trash can handle his little watering hole,” Cole said. She frowned at him. “Come on, baby, just a quick ride before you go.” She crawled over the bed and kissed him deeply.

“I’ll see you tonight,” she said.

“I’ve got the boys tonight,” he said. She rolled her eyes. “You got your work, Danna, I got mine. I’ll buy you something pretty to make up for it.”

“What would your Daddy say if he knew you were spending his money keeping trash like me happy?” She teased. He gripped her chin.

“What would your Daddy say knowing you spread your legs for a useless rich boy like me?” His jab was sharper.

“I’m gonna go,” she said, shrinking back.

“Come on, I was kidding,” he said, and gripped her wrist. “I shouldn’t have, I’m sorry.” She nodded and pulled away. “We’ll come by tonight and get you, yeah?”

“Sure,” she mumbled. She tied her long red hair back and walked out of the bedroom. Cole followed after her, though he didn’t say anything, he didn’t need to. He’d made his point. She knew exactly what her father would think of her being here, in this house, in Cole’s bed.

He’d tell her she could do better. He’d tell some story about their family, and Cammadan, and magic. But Danna had stopped living in her Da’s stories, and Cole was a son of a bitch, but she had a roof over her head, and food in her belly.

Who cares if he fucked her too hard, or held on too long and too hard when she was trying to walk away? Or that his teasing never quite felt like teasing, like he knew he was sending an arrow right to her heart?

“See you later, sweetheart,” Cole said softly and lay a kiss on her shoulder.

“See you later,” she whispered and walked out towards the barn. She grabbed her horse, and rode into town and tied it off, walking into the small but well maintained board building that housed Tarren’s Bar. Tarren himself smiled at her from behind the bar.

“You’re early,” he said. She shrugged. “What’d he do to piss you off?”

“Don’t worry about it,” she teased and grabbed a mop and bucket and started on the floor.

“You might want to crash here for a few,” Tanner said. She frowned at him.

“Cole won’t like that,” she muttered. “Why?”

“Rangers are near by,” he smirked. She exhaled.

“The rangers never bother Cole,” she shook her head. She always assumed he paid them off. Cole bought what he wanted. He’d bought her, too. “What do you know, Tanner?” Her friend exhaled.

“There are two witches with them,” he said, “and one of the border Princes.” She raised an eyebrow. “Those green coats can be paid off, I’d kind of like to watch Cole try to get rid of a witch with a bag of gold.” Danna swallowed. Tanner’s grin wasn’t for no reason, his Wyan mother had often told both of them that one day the reckoning would come for the Cammadie in Westran, who were poor stewards and bad guests.

Danna’s father had often said the same. We’re not meant for this place, Danna, someday we’ll go home. When the queen comes. But her father had died, and the queen had come, and Danna didn’t know what home was, but the idea of leaving this place, hard as it was, to go to some green field that she didn’t know didn’t feel right either.

If Tanner thought these witches were the reckoning, maybe she should finally go. Go where? What would be different in Cammadan? She had nothing and no one there, here she had nothing but at least she had Tanner and Cole.

She walked over to the bar.

“Two witches?” She said. He nodded. “Her?” He rolled his eyes.

“I doubt Lady Anaia would come here,” he said. She grinned at him. “That’s like asking if your girl Queen came riding through.”

“Queen Annalise almost married the Chieftain,” she grabbed a bottled beer and popped the top off. “She might have come here if she had.”

“And instead he married a nice Wyan girl,” he smirked, “my people won that war.” She laughed and the doors swung open.

“Are you open yet?” A female voice said. Tanner nodded at the girl, speak of the devil, a ranger in a green tunic, with an axe strapped to her back. “Thanks, we’re starved,” she strode in and was followed by two more rangers, one a boy with almost white blonde hair tied back in a tail, and the other a dark skinned woman with her hair in braids, the prince followed them, or she assumed he was a prince, white, with dark hair and a chiseled jaw, wearing a brown leather vest, and a long knife on his belt, he was flanked by the witches.

Danna felt something rumble, deep in her, not sure what it was. Our blood is magic, Danna, Da would say, you need to look for it. Listen for it. But Dad was crazy. Both the amber eyed, brown skinned women in black, didn’t even glance at her. They looked right at Tanner who was staring at them.

“My Ladies,” he said coming out from the bar and kneeling for them. “You honor me.” One of them, with silky black hair that she was wearing down her back smiled softly at him and turned up his chin.

“You honor us,” she said.

“Is there food?” The other one said, her hair was veiled and the look on her face was amused. “Then I think we can talk about honor?” Tanner rose and looked at her, Danna kept watching them.

“Of course, Lady Nika,” he said. “My Prince,” he bowed to the other one. “High Lady Brea.”

“High Lady?” The beautiful one preened, “that’s new, I like that.” The Prince groaned.

“Yes, what you and my brother need are more titles,” he said, and she settled in to a seat and stuck out her tongue at him.

“Hush Rian Riordan,” she said, then she noticed Danna and her amiable mood seemed to evaporate. Danna looked away and went to get them water, she left it on the table and they started laughing and chatting. The beautiful witch watched her like a hawk though. She went back into the kitchen.

“What was that?” She asked. Tanner was standing in front of a tray staring at the ice box. “Tanner, are you alright?”

“Lady Nika is here,” he said, “Lady Brea is here,” he exhaled. “I have to feed them.” She crossed her arms. “They’re the daughters, Danna! Chief Walkin and Lady Anaia’s daughters, Lady Brea is married to the Chieftain.”

“Oh,” she said. “This is very exciting for you, then.” Her friend glared at her. “Give me that,” she grabbed the tray and filled it with bread and cheese from the box. “I’ll take care of them while you get yourself together.” She went and laid it out. “I apologize, Tanner is a bit, erm,” she said as they reached out and grabbed at the foot, “over come?”

“I have that effect on people,” the blonde ranger winked at her. The Veiled witch, Nika, Danna remembered rolled her eyes.

“He’s Wyan?” She asked.

“His mother,” Danna explained. “She lives just north of town.”

“We will go see her,” Lady Brea said, her face somewhat softer, but she still had Danna in her sights it seemed. “And you are?”

“Danna Finn, Lady,” she bobbed gently. “I can bring drinks if you like.”

“We do like,” the dark skinned ranger girl smirked, she’d leaned into the princes’s arm casually draped around her. Danna nodded and served them. Their chatter was interesting, mostly teasing, eventually they took rooms and went up to bathe. Tanner had recovered himself and as Danna went to clear the tables Lady Nika walked over to her.

“I apologize for my sister,” she said. Danna swallowed and nodded. “She dislikes the Cammadie presence on our land, it’s not personal.”

“You’re riding with the rangers,” I pointed out. She shrugged.

“We all have our hypocrisies,” she smirked, “and she’d argue the rangers beat the alternative.” Danna nodded. “Regardless, you have my apologies.” She walked away silently. Danna swallowed, she had a feeling Lady Nika had done this a few times.

“You should go home,” Tanner said as she helped him set for when the mines got out and the farmers settled their days.

“This morning you wanted me to stay here,” she reminded him. He exhaled. “Tanner,” she said. “What do you think is going to happen?”

“I don’t know,” he said, “I just have a bad feeling.”

“He’s not going to be there,” she shook her head, “he said he’s coming by for me whenever he’s done whatever it is he’s doing.” Tanner inhaled. “He doesn’t tell me what it is, it’s not like that.” Tanner frowned.

“What is it like?” He asked. He fucks me when he feels like and I don’t starve to death. She knew she couldn’t tell Tanner that. She looked at him and shrugged. “Danna,” he whispered, “what are you doing?”

“What we’ve always done,” she said, picking up a crate of empty bottles, “surviving.” She walked them out dropped them behind the store and looked up a the stars with her arms crossed. A breeze blew threw and a voice enveloped her.

Don’t run, Danna Finn, it was low, rumbling, male, but not human, she was sure of that. Wait for me. I have waited for you. She swallowed. So she was going insane in addition to everything else. She turned and walked back into the bar. Cole had arrived with his boys and waved to her, they were bragging loudly about what they’d “found” that day.

They hadn’t found shit, some miner probably had. She noticed the ranger party had settled in another corner and the arresting amber eyes of the witches were on her as she walked over.

“Hey beautiful,” Cole grinned and pulled her into his lap. “We scored big today.” She nodded.

“Cole, be careful,” she said. He laughed.

“Aw, you worried about me?” He nipped at her neck. She exhaled. “Is my girl great or what?” The group snickered. She met Broderick Dorthrin’s eyes, and thought of the time he’d cornered her at a mid summer festival and she’d stroked him off to get him to leave. She’d held that back, and Broderick must know it too, because he watched her constantly. “The greencoats and the savages won’t bother us.”

“Prince Rian’s no savage,” Lady Nika had walked over with a smirk, “I’ll cop to the label though. Mistress Danna, I was hoping you could find water for a bath for me? It’s been a long ride and I think the soak would do me good.”

“Of course, my lady,” she stood up and followed her. “You had a bath, I don’t know if I can scrounge more,” she admitted.

“You seemed uncomfortable,” the witch shrugged. Danna looked at her.

“Oh, no it wasn’t like that,” she looked down, “Cole’s my man.” She regarded me skeptically but then shrugged.

“I see,” she said, Danna turned to go back to work. “Danna Finn,” Danna turned and met the witch’s eyes, their amber color deepened and her face serious. “Whatever it was that you heard on the wind, I would heed it.”

“I don’t understand,” Danna said, “did you hear it too?” Lady Nika’s lips curled into a smile.

“No,” she said, “but I can feel your power, and the wind in this place is strange, and talkative and the wheel is about to turn.” She turned and left.

Danna swallowed. I can feel your power.

There’s magic in our blood, Danna. Da had sworn it.

That night after Cole had had his way, Danna drifted off to sleep, and dreamt of the sound of beating wings so loud it almost thunder, and she was soaring over the mountains towards the moon.

Wait for me, Danna Finn, the voice boomed. I have waited for you.

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Interlude: Eric

He groaned as the large drapes opened and sunlight came streaming through the windows. The girl next to him twitched lightly. Ama? He was reasonably sure that was her name.

“You went through that whole barrel already?” Lefty scolded. Eric groaned and pulled his blanket over his head. “It took Lainey seven months to procure that rum for you Eric, it’s been a week.”

“Be sure to thank Lainey and tell her I would appreciate more,” he muttered. Ama woke and gasped, pulling the blanket over herself. “Oh, have you not met my brother, sweet one?” Lefty rolled his eyes.

“I apologize for startling you, Mistress,” Lefty said, picking her dress up off the floor.

“S’alright,” she whispered taking it from him. “Thank you m’lord.”

“Oh Lefty’s not a Lord,” Eric stretched. “Not yet, obviously, he’ll probably be a duke someday.” Lefty glowered at him and Ama ran out. “What the hell are you doing here, anyway? Shouldn’t you be in Vacana, kissing Daniel’s ass?”

“Some of us had to find a way to live, Eric,” Lefty said, “you can’t go on like this.” Eric frowned at him. “You aren’t the only one who left someone behind.”

“It’s different,” Eric shook his head. His step brother raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Marina will wait for you.” Lefty sighed and rolled his eyes. “You know I’m right.”

“Marina is not waiting,” Lefty said. “She’s fully committed to Nika Averran.” Eric scoffed. “Annalise on the other hand,” Eric stood up and stretched.

“Annalise took five minutes before she pulled Harran back into her bed,” Eric grumbled. “She can’t be alone or at least doesn’t want to be. I’m taking her example.”

“She refused his proposal,” Lefty said. Eric shrugged. That didn’t really surprise him. When it came down to it, his Anya wasn’t going to marry anyone else. Unless Carolina Dugarry conveniently dropped dead. “Eric, when did you last write to her?” Eric exhaled. “And what did you write to her.”

“I told her the truth,” Eric shrugged, “that Daniel will not be allowing our engagement to move forward.” Lefty mumbled something. “What was that Captain?”

“You’re spineless,” his brother turned to him. “And you’re ruining three other lives besides your own.” He walked out and slammed the door. Lefty had been promoted a year ago, and somehow Eric had become the troublesome brother everyone worried about.

He was not fond of the switch.

“What has Dami so worked up?” His mother walked into the room. She sniffed the air. “Goddess, Eric, when was the last time you bathed?“

“Are you going to lecture me too?” He frowned. She sighed. “I told him that we weren’t going back to Cammadan.”

“Ah,” she nodded. “Well, that’s his choice at this point.” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, I think you’re being awfully foolish, but no one is forcing him to stay.”

“And me?” He said. She exhaled and looked at him.

“You, my sweet boy,” she said, “are being forced. Though I would imagine if you pushed at all, Daniel would relent.” He looked at his mother and nodded. “Regardless, this can’t go on, and we’re all going to Vacana, so I suggest you bathe and pack.”

“What?” Eric said as she stood up. “Mother,” he started.

“Your sister has asked that we come,” Aimee shrugged. “It’s bad enough Elana is insisting Kat remain in the household,” Eric sighed, “visiting when she asks is the least we can do.”

“It’s a great honor for Kat to be Karina’s companion, Mother,” he stood up and went to a basin and splashed his face with water. “I’m not going to Vacana.” Aimee shrugged.

“You most certainly are,” she walked out, “I had a Dream that you were in the temple courtyard.” She called over her shoulder.

“That could have meant anything,” he called back. But there was no arguing with his mother’s visions.

They’d been in Vacana a week and Eric was already tired of it. Tired of Kieran Franz glaring at him, tired of dinner after dinner with some bright little debutante next to him at Elana’s behest. The days were tolerable thanks to his nieces and Kat, but in the evenings even their company was denied him.

He hated the city, hated the way it made his mother shrink, and most of all hated what it wasn’t. Hated that it wasn’t warm, or light, or fun. That he didn’t hear Lefty’s laugh from across a hall coupled with Marina’s giggle. That he wouldn’t catch Annalise’s eye and be greeted by a wink. He hated that Vacana wasn’t Dovetail or even better Brightcoast. Blessed, wonderful Brightcoast, where he’d been happier than he ever thought possible.

“I didn’t realize I was so dull,” the girl next to him smiled. She had a soft gentle face, light brown skin and twinkling almost green hazel eyes. “Or shouldn’t I say such a thing to our Prince?” Eric smirked. This one had spirit, at least.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “it’s been a trying few weeks.” She nodded, “Lady,” he started and she rolled her eyes.

“Talia,” she said. “Lady Talia Warwick.” He frowned.

“Brenton Warwick’s wife?” He asked. She nodded. “I was sorry to hear about him. We were cadets together, he was a good man.” Lady Talia smiled.

“He was,” she said softly. “Queen Elana was very kind to give me a place in the houeshold, I was going a little bit mad on my own.” He nodded. “You coming back here has unsettled things,” she popped a bite of the fish they were eating into her mouth. He raised an eyebrow. “They all want to marry you.”

“They will all be disappointed,” he said. “There’s only one woman in the world I’ll marry. Elana knows it, she shouldn’t encourage them.” She smirked.

“Is Queen Annalise so very singular, then?” She took a sip of her wine.

“Yes,” he said simply. “She is.” He exhaled. Lady Talia regarded him.

“You’re still in love with her,” she said.

“I don’t think I ever won’t be,” he admitted. “Her current paramour, Prince Harran once told her the gods cast for us. I’m less sure about her, but I know they did for me. Annalise is the end for me.” She smiled. “What?” He said.

“The honesty is refreshing,” she said. “That’s all.” He smiled.

“Were you in love when you married Brenton?” He asked. “Since we’re being honest.” He monitored the way she put her wine glass down, then lifted her napkin off her lap.

“It was nice speaking to you, Your Highness,” she said and stood up and walked out. Elana glared at him with a deep frown. Once dinner broke up, he was standing on a terrace and she walked out.

“You should apologize to Talia,” Elana said. He looked at her. “I thought you might like her.”

“Yaya,” he said and shook his head. “I did like her, but that doesn’t mean,” his sister in law glared at him. “I’ll apologize.”

“Good,” she said. “My brother wrote me Annalise and Harran parted.” He looked at her.

“Raymond would know,” he said. “Why are you tossing pretty widows at me, then?” He asked. She smirked.

“So you think she’s pretty?” She said. Eric sighed. “I can’t have you bringing tavern girls into the palace, Eric, and I understand your,” she searched for the word, “appetite, has become substantial. Talia is an elegant solution.” He stared at her dumbfounded.

“Is Lady Talia aware of this solution?” He asked. She rolled her eyes.

“She has no interest in marrying again,” Elana said, “but I know she’s lonely as are many others who visit.” Eric exhaled. “Your mother saw you in the temple courtyard.”

“Oh she mentioned that?” He said with a laugh. Elana shrugged. “I haven’t been to the temple since I went to Rastan before,” he picked at a piece of seaweed that had dried on the railing. “How would he react if I asked to go back? You know him best.” Elana leaned forward. “I’d think he’d rather punish Franz, than Lefty and me.” Elana glared at him. “When did it end, Yaya?”

“I’ve been faithful to your brother since we took our vows,” she said. “What happened before that is no one’s business.” Eric looked at her. “I love you, Eric, you know that. I’ve been patient, we all have. But I’m reaching my limit. I know Lefty has. Do you want to know what it looks like when Kat or your mother or Simon do?” He sighed. “And to answer your first, not rude question, if you asked, he’d likely say no, he doesn’t like how Annalise stonewalled him.” Eric raised an eyebrow.

“He ordered the ferries stop,” Eric pointed out.

“She refused to negotiate and placed a ban on the Dumanis coming to us,” Elana reminded him. He frowned. The Dumanis blockade had been hard on the Island. It had ended eventually and he wondered which twin he had to thank for that.

The next day he was walking to the water garden to meet up with Kat when he saw Lady Talia sitting with a book. He walked over.

“Can I help you?” She arched an eyebrow at him. Goddess, he did like her.

“I think I offended you last night and I’d like to apologize,” he said. She closed her book.

“You did offend me,” she said, “and I accept your apology.” He sat down with her.

“I didn’t mean to imply that you hadn’t loved you husband,” he said. “My dinner manners are obviously rusty.” She smirked.

“I’d heard that Camamdan’s court is basically one brawl away from a tavern,” she giggled. “So some adjustment must be made.” He threw his head back and laughed.

“They are a good deal less formal,” he said. “Though if I said something like I did to one of those ladies I’d probably have had a knife at my throat, so I am grateful for our more restrained temperaments in some ways.” She smiled. “But I am sorry, I should never have,” he exhaled, “it was a shameful thing to say about a fallen friend.” She looked at him and pressed a braid behind her ear.

“I did,” she said softly. He looked at her, “love Brenton. I loved him very much.” He smiled. “I didn’t expect to, our parents arranged it, but I did love him and then he died and it was awful.” She swallowed. “What went wrong with you and Queen Annalise?” Eric sighed.

“My brother decided he’d rather have a war than an alliance,” he said. She looked at him curiously. “And then because Annalise isn’t stupid that didn’t even happen.”

“And Captain Lestoff? Wasn’t he going to marry The Duchess of Brightcoast?” She asked. He exhaled.

“I would miss Lefty like missing a limb,” he whispered, “but he should have gone back to Marina a long time ago, he’s just punishing himself.” She looked at him. “You do understand why Elana introduced us?”

“I’ve been offered up before,” she said, “though the monster I was being sacrificed to was less appealing.” He looked at her. “You know what your sister in law is like, and my status is convenient for her ends. No husband, so no threat there, but my reputation doesn’t require the protection of her other girls.” Eric frowned at her.

“That doesn’t make it right,” he said. She shrugged and leaned back.

“What’s that got to do with anything? It wasn’t right when your father pressed you mother into marriage, it wasn’t right when Lord Brayton tried to take Cammadan’s throne, it wasn’t right that Brenton’s ship went down, it wasn’t right that you were pulled back here away from the person you love,” she sighed, “right or wrong doesn’t matter when things simply are.” She stood up. “I appreciate the apology, your highness.” He cynicism shocked him almost as much as the whole situation.

For all his show of disapproval Eric invited her to his villa for supper that evening, and to his credit a buffet had been laid out. But as it turned out she didn’t care for the pretense.

She didn’t speak a word and breezed past him into the bedroom. He chuckled following behind her and taking her by the waist and turned her face and kissed her.

“You’re sure?” He murmured.

“Yes,” Talia exhaled. He began to massage her breasts under her gown. She whimpered as he slid his hands through her laces and undid her.

“Before we go further, My lady,” he said, “I want to warn you my tastes are particular.” She was trembling as he tackled her back onto the bed. “And I’m not gentle.” She exhaled as he pressed her hands above her head and held her wrists down.

“I wish to please you, My Prince,” she demurred. “Do you want to bind me?” She teased. He smirked.

“Perhaps another time,” he said, “but I’m glad you’re open to it.” She shrugged.

“I like to play,” she whispered and kissed him. He pressed into her and took her roughly. She whimpered a little and thrust up, but mostly knew the game, and let him have her.

“When do you leave?” Talia lounged against the bed. He looked at her.

“I’m not going, apparently,” he shrugged. She raised an eyebrow. “There is apparently a worry about security.” She nodded. “I’m glad of it.”

“I thought you’d want to,” she said. “Isn’t Rainiere your friend? Surely you wish to support him?” He cupped her face and kissed her.

“Rainiere is sure of my support,” he said. “It’s for the best.”

“Is this about,” Talia started and then stopped. She looked away, “never mind.” He grabbed her chin.

“What were you going to say?” He said sharply.

“Is this about her?” She asked. He inhaled. “I’m under no illusions about what this is, Eric, but I won’t be your excuse to avoid something difficult.” He stood up and started dressing.

“It’s none of your business,” he said sharply. “Are you unhappy with your position in my life Talia?” She stared up at him. “If you are, I’m sure Elana can find another place for you.”

“Do not speak to me as though I’m other people.” Talia said simply, her eyes not leaving his. “I’ve heard what you whisper in the dark and I’ve let you put your hand around my throat, do you think I’d do that if I thought you the vicious, cruel, thoughtless creature they do?” He blinked at her, startled. “You can hide your heart, freeze it, even, but I know you. Hide from her for the rest of your life, if that’s your wish,” she stood up and pulled her dress on, “but don’t do it with me.” She walked out and slammed the door. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. She didn’t understand, and he’d been sure that she did.

He sent her flowers by way of apology and the next night she’d come back. They didn’t discuss it further.

Eric wasn’t sure why he’d been expecting a warmer welcome in Brightcoast, but after Annalise’s initial embrace he’d found himself lost. He’d asked Lefty and Raymond to meet him in the apartment he’d moved into, though his brother remained stony and silent. But he needed to know the truth.

“Tell me about him,” Eric asked. Lefty rolled his eyes and Raymond glared at him.

“I’m not doing this,” Raymond said.

“Doing what?” Eric said.

“Emotional reconnaissance,” Lefty said. Eric gasped, offended. “Oh please, we all did it for each other for years, don’t act offended.” Raymond smirked.

“Anyway, who says I’m on your side this time?” He shrugged. “I like Prior, and he’s Evan’s family.” Eric scowled at him. “She was miserable for years and now she’s not, well, I mean, before this whole mess she wasn’t.”

“Does Talia know you’re here?” Lefty asked him. Eric looked at him. Raymond frowned.

“Who’s Talia?” Raymond asked. Eric sighed and pressed his fingers on the bridge of his nose. “Wait, you’re waltzing in here all, tell me about Annalise’s engagement, and let’s act like nothing happened, and there’s a Talia?”

“Karina and Kat didn’t tell you?” Lefty said. “Lady Talia Warwick, she’s a widow, she’s one of Elana’s ladies and she and Eric have been sleeping together for a year.”

“It’s different,” Eric shook his head. “And I gave Kat a a note for her.”

“It really isn’t,” Lefty said. “And you with the gods damned notes. Can’t you just have a conversation with a woman?” Raymond sighed.

“You’re seeing someone consistently?” Raymond asked. “Caro’s network said there were a lot of them,” Lefty rolled his eyes.

“Oh, there have been plenty,” Lefty said. “Talia’s just, more permanent, than the others.”

“You’re one to talk,” Eric said. Lefty shrugged.

“I’ve never pretended to be respectable,” he said, “or to be pining for my great love while having half of Vacana suck my cock.” Eric stepped up to his brother. “You’ve always judged her so harshly for finding comfort, but it’s because you think she’s like you. You think she’s distracting herself, playing until you two can complete whatever story you made up sitting on that lighthouse for all those years,” Lefty looked at him. “You’re so afraid that’s all you were to her, a plaything, a distraction. Like Talia was to you.” Eric frowned

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Eric said.

“Because Tristan Dugarry sure as hell wasn’t disposable, or Harran and now Prior,” Lefty said. “So it has to be you, right? You’re the plaything, the one that doesn’t matter. Because if she’s like you, she couldn’t possibly love you and them.”

“I know she’s not like me,” Eric hissed. “That’s the problem.” Lefty smirked. “I love Annalise, I only love Annalise, I have only ever loved Annalise. And it’s not enough.”

“No,” Lefty said, “it’s not. And it took her a while but she caught on.” He turned and left the room.

“Huh,” Raymond said. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice it in Rastan.” Eric looked at him. “He’s furious with you.”

“Yes, he is,” Eric mumbled. “Ray, I’m glad you’ve gotten everything you wanted,” Raymond looked down. “You’re a mastero and you have Evan, and I’m glad for you. But you understand that there was a cost.” Raymond looked at him.

“Yes,” Raymond said, “and I’m sorry that you were the one who had to pay it Eric.” Eric nodded. “You’re not playing fair.”

“Never said I would,” Eric smirked. Raymond exhaled.

“There’s not a lot to tell. He’s a good man, he’s been excruciatingly patient, and he stood by her. He’s a damn good fighter, the twins think he hung the moon, and even Aaron only questions her ambivalence, not him. Marina’s still in denial, but mostly because I think she thought she’d lose Lefty forever if you never came back. Now that that’s clearly not the case, when she comes back, she’ll likely come around too.” Eric looked at him.

“When she comes back?” He said. Raymond exhaled.

“Nika and I agreed,” he said, “we can’t, when we talk about her,” he closed his eyes. “She’s coming back, she has to come back.” Eric looked at him.

“Nika and you?” Eric said. Raymond nodded.

“We didn’t freeze for four years, Eric,” he said, “life happened. Nika and I are friends, we’re close friends. Marina and Annalise are my family, the same as you and Elana and the girls.” He stood up. “And Evan and Prior are too. Prior is like his brother, they’re so like you and Lefty I have to laugh sometimes.” Eric smiled.

“I hate that I missed it,” he said softly.

“Missed what?” Raymond said.

“When you became a man,” he said. Raymond blushed.

“So one of Elana’s seeds bloomed?” Raymond asked. Eric shrugged.

“Talia’s not like the others,” he said, “she’s not a simpering virgin who wants a tiara and she understands my,” he sighed, “limitations.”

“Uh huh,” Raymond nodded. “You have to tell Annalise.” Eric blinked at him. “She never forgave Harran, not really, for not telling her about Brea.”

“His wife?” Eric said, “I thought that was all after,” Raymond shook his head.

“Two years, before he came to Dovetail,” Raymond held up his fingers. “And not a word before he got her into bed and then Brea came here.” Eric swallowed. “Athena told Prior the one thing he can never do is leave her. You already left her Eric, if you also lie to her,” he shook her head, “or keep secrets, or make her feel like by loving Prior she betrayed you, it’s over. You know that, you know her.”

“I’m not in love with Talia,” Eric said. “It’s sex and companionship, and,” Raymond looked at him.

“And if you tell her she’ll understand that,” he said. “If you don’t tell her, she’ll never trust you.” Eric sighed. “She went to the manor, to help heal her uncle, you can probably find her on her way back.” He left.

Annalise had made it clear that she wasn’t making any decisions, but that conversation on the beach. Her certainty of her duty and she’d left him standing there. His hands hand found that pendant on her throat. She belonged to someone else now, she wasn’t his, if she’d ever been.

He looked up to her balcony at the palace and saw her looking down at him. He’d do what he could, he’d help save Marina, for Annalise and for Lefty, and he’d go home. Maybe marry Talia, if she was open to it. That would piss Daniel off. If Annalise could decide to make one of her pretty guards a king, why shouldn’t he make a noblewoman he enjoyed a princess?

He looked up and saw Annalise standing on her balcony.

And that was why. Because he’d always been looking for her. Always.

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Interlude: Debut

Note: Y’all, it’s Bridgerton Week! Which means I’ve been thinking in those terms and I just couldn’t help but spit out this little interlude about Caro’s debut. I also have felt like I wanted to flush out her and Alex’s friendship for a little while…

Carolina

I tugged at my dress as she stood in front of the guild hall. Mama had decided on a deep blue, trimmed in gold, and my hair was pinned up in a pile that felt like it was weighing me down.

“Stop fidgeting,” Mama said sharply and I swallowed and made myself still, like the stone reliefs around us. “I thought they were coming.” She sounded let down. I looked around the room. Most everyone we knew was here. Even people I knew didn’t like me very much, mostly here to speak with Papa of course, and some to get a peak at Emily.

I knew the truth, Emily was our family’s actual great hope, not me. But I’m older so I’ll do what I have to do for now.

“Who?” I asked her. She glanced at me and frowned. “Oh,” I sighed, “them, well, Alex said they were coming,” I muttered.

“All of them?” She asked. I shrugged. I had no idea why The DuManis hadn’t appeared and Alex had promised. Though whether that meant simply him and his mother and father, I couldn’t say. “Smile, Caro, honestly,” she exhaled, “you’d think you were being tortured.” I did my best to smile. Emily was standing off to the side with one of the Dutrin boys, carefully wrapping her hair around her finger and smirking. “Will he propose?”

“Mama!” I said sharply. “We’re friends, he’s mentioned other things, but,” she looked down, “I don’t know.” She sighed.

“It would be a good thing, Carolina, you must know that,” she softened her voice. “Think how pleased your father would be.” I nodded. Yes, marrying Alex, becoming Madame DuCray, eventually inheriting main control of The DuManis family interests, that would please him.

There were a thousand reasons why it was unlikely to happen, not least of which among them is that I’m reasonably sure Alex doesn’t look at me that way, and I know that’s not how I see him. I like Alex. He’s pleasant. But anything beyond that feels like a foreign country.

“She has to dance eventually,” Papa walked over. “What is the delay?” I bit my bottom lip.

“We’re waiting on the DuCray boy,” Mama said simply. “Is there anyone else?”

“New captain,” he muttered, “doesn’t signify, not if Alex is coming.” I nodded and the chamber doors opened, and they walked in, all of them.

The DuManis were stunning, when they put on a show, the whole city knew it. Lead by Chancellor Carland DuManis, the old man leaned only lightly against his cane, his blue and gold tunic striking, behind him were his three surviving children, their spouses and following after that the grandchildren. I smiled as they walked up, genuinely this time, as Alex had met my eye and winked.

“Miss DuKarras,” The Old Man stepped forward and took my hand and kissed it. “Congratulations,” I smiled gently.

“Thank you, Chancellor,” I said demurely. “It’s a great honor for you to have come, and quite unexpected.”

“Oh I doubt that,” Trey DuManis winked. “Tonight’s festivities were quite the discussion all week, Alex wouldn’t stop talking about it.” I was genuinely concerned Mama might swoon, and I felt my cheeks flush as Alex stepped up, all sandy blond hair and overly pleased with himself smile. I scrunched my nose at him.

“Missstress DuKarras,” he kissed my hand.

“Master DuCray,” I smirked back. “You’re late.”

“My apologies,” he said, “they love to make an entrance,” he whispered. I laughed and took his hand as the music started. “My mother is going to speak to your father.”

“Alex,” I said cautiously. He smiled congenially. “Are you sure?” He nodded.

“We both have to marry, Caro,” he said, “wouldn’t you rather be with a friend?” I exhaled. He wasn’t wrong of course. But the idea made my heart stop, being absorbed into the machine that was merchant life’s heart, The DuManis Family.

Six Months Later

I sat opposite the new one. I hadn’t bothered learning his name, he was Rastani, with cool blue eyes and straight blonde hair that he’d combed back. At least he was under forty, which was an improvement. Emily was pouting because Alex had left for Dovetail and I didn’t know how to tell her that I missed him too.

“What do you think, Miss DuKarras?” The suitor met her eyes with a satisfied smirk. “Do you think your girl queen is going to awaken a new age?”

“I’m sure it’s all very interesting,” I covered, with a sly smirk. “Though it will be strange, having a queen my own age.”

“Younger actually,” Papa pointed out. “You’re eighteen, Caro, the queen is seventeen.” I nodded. Another reminder that another year had gone by.

“Captain Arrain,” Mama asked, “do you plan to return to Rastan soon?”

“I had hoped to stay here in Dorin, actually,” he said, meeting my eyes. “As long as you’d have me.” I blushed a little.

After dinner I was sitting in the courtyard, Emily had dramatically taken to bed, and I wasn’t interested in going to comfort her. The quiet made a nice change.

“May I?” Captain Arrain walked out and sat with me. I nodded. “I’m glad to get to spend more time with you.” I eyed him and smirked.

“My father likes you, Captain Arrain,” I assured him, “you’ll get your contract without pushing for my good opinion.” He chuckled.

“No one mentioned you were clever,” he said, my heart beat. “I knew you were beautiful.”

“I’m not,” I shook my head. I was pleasant. There were beauties in Dorin, I wasn’t one of them.

“I was at your debut,” he said, “I knew then, I had to have you.” I blinked at him and he kissed me.

“Alex was courting me then,” I said. He shrugged.

“I was patient,” he said, “I waited out the Dumanis.” I smiled. We kissed again.

“Andrei,” I mumbled.

“Carolina,” Mama walked out and I drew back. “I think you ought to get to bed.”

“Yes Mama,” I said softly looking over my shoulder at him, Mama did not look pleased. He smiled at me.

He stayed with us two more nights, which was odd, the third day, I was walking past Papa’s office when I heard them arguing.

“I don’t like it,” Mama insisted. “He has nothing! She can do better.”

“She had one suitor who then went to Emily,” Papa said back. “It is done, Portia, Caro will marry Captain Arrain.” I smiled, I was wondering when he would propose. Would he take me to Rastan? I rushed to bed and lay down, hoping to dream of my handsome captain husband. The door clicked open.

“Emily?” I asked, but then I saw Andrei’s face lit by a candle.

“A disappointment?” He teased and walked over and sat down, pushed my hair out of my face.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I mumbled and he kissed me gently. “Andrei, my parents.”

“Sweet one,” he laughed and kissed my neck, pushing my nightgown off my parents, “your father has agreed to our marriage.” I gasped as his hand moved down.

“Andrei,” i whimpered, “when we’re married, will you take me away?” He laughed and pressed me under him.

“Anywhere you like,” he murmured, pushing my nightgown up. “First home, though,” I bit my bottom lip. “You’ll love Rastan City, my beauty, it will fall at your feet.” He pressed into me. It hurt a little, but it was mostly, pleasant. “Oh Carolina,” he groaned. I closed my eyes tightly as he thrust into me. It didn’t feel like it was described in Emily’s books, or when I touched myself. There was no explosion of pleasure, no wave of overwhelming joy. It was vaguely pleasant, and Andrei seemed to be enjoying himself. After he finished he kissed me gently and held me throughout the night.

A few weeks passed, and I knew Andrei was in with my father, dealing with our contract, and at night he would come into my room and whisper that he loved me, that we would go to Rastan and he would make his fortune.

He left to get things settled. I begged him to take me with him. I didn’t need the whole society wedding, I just wanted him, to be his wife.

Instead I waited, and no word came. And I realized it was over.

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Court

Athena

I am standing at the side of the throne, while Calla sits in her grandly made little chair and Aaron beside her.

“I do not understand why we are being asked to submit,” Arthur Winstrom, the Lord of Westlake said with a flat affect, “to your authority, Count.” Aaron sighed loudly. Regency doesn’t suit him, we all know it.

“You, and the others of the council supported the decision for my daughter to be named Annalise’s heir,” he said, “did you expect Viscountess Calla to sit in court as Duchess Marina did when the queen was unavailable? She’s not yet four.”

“I will be next month,” Calla said. “And I trust Papa to make decisions.” She beamed at the Lord, who stared back at her dumbfounded.

“Of course, my lady,” he mumbled and bowed and walked away. I smiled, and glanced to the back of the room, where I saw Mercy holding a swaddled Jack. I so badly wanted my boy in my arms.

“I think that’s enough for today,” Aaron said. There were murmurs and bows as we walked out, I took Jack and we went to the tower.

“Papa, you shouldn’t be so cross with them,” Calla said plopping on the floor, where her dolls were set up in an approximation of court.

“She’s right,” I said, as Jack began crying, “oh hush, darling,” I whispered. “Are you hungry?” I opened my jacket and he latched on and began eating. “Oh clearly.” Aaron smiled at me.

“I hate this,” he said, “when they get back, I’m pissing off to the beach and Lisette can listen to them all complain that I have too much power.” I laughed. “If she doesn’t come back engaged I’m putting forward a vote to ban Eric from the country, I’m completely serious. I will not go through this again.”

“I’m hungry too, Mama!” Calla said. I looked at her.

“I’m sure Lady Mercy will be here with tea in a moment, love,” I assured her. “Aaron, there’s nothing for it. And you can’t bar Eric from the country, it would cause a war, and also Marina would never forgive you.”

“I don’t see what it’s got to do with Marina,” Aaron shrugged, “Lefty is a Cammadie citizen now, grand admiral of a navy that, granted, does not yet exist, but still,” I laughed. “I want to go home Thena.”

“I know,” I said, “but we need to be here now.” He nodded.

“Look, Mama,” Calla said I looked over at her, she’d shaped out of light a perfect replica of the castle and palace. I wonder if the day will come that her magic doesn’t astound me.

“That’s wonderful,” I said, Aaron kneeled down with her. “What made you think to do that?”

“Before we left Pantona, Lady Nika said I should try to make things in my mind,” Calla said, “I wanted to make the palace.” Aaron ran a hand through the light shape, it wavered and returned immediately.

“It’s very sturdy,” he smiled. She sat up. “Now, is your princess holding court,” he picked up the doll. Calla nodded.

“Yes,” she said, “her mama is away so she must,” Aaron laughed. “She isn’t grumpy with her courtiers though, she’s very kind to them.”

“Papa should take an example,” I teased. Calla nodded seriously.

“And what are they talking about?” Aaron asked. Calla thought for a moment and picked up one of her guards.

“The Princess wishes to marry her guard,” Calla explained. The door opened and Althea came running through, Tristan right behind her and as predicted, Mercy with a tea tray and servant behind her with a cart of food.

“Calla, look,” Althea said holding up her small sword. Tristan laughed. “Sir Tristan said I’m very good with it.”

“May I have a sword?” Calla asked.

“No,” Aaron and I said in unison. Calla pouted and Althea settled in and they made the dolls argue about how the wedding would move forward.

“Who’s marrying?” Mercy asked.

“A Princess and her guard,” I teased. “I think Calla’s picked up on gossip.” Tristan sighed and picked up a pastry. “How are Chase and Caro?”

“They should be here soon,” he said, “Chase was napping and Caro can’t stand to leave him.” I nodded.

“I know how she feels,” I whispered, as Jack grabbed at my finger. I smiled down at him.

“Will cousin Chase be a guard too, Uncle Tristan?” Calla asked. Tristan looked at her.

“That is the current plan,” he nodded, “but he may not like it.” Calla and Althea both gasped.

“Who wouldn’t like it?” Althea asked indignantly.

“Neither your Mother, nor Lady Caro liked it much,” Aaron said, “or me, there are other ways to help.” Mercy laughed and sipped on her tea.

“Do you think I’m a traitor, dear one?” She teased. Althea sighed and walked over and crawled up into her lap.

“Of course not,” Althea said and rubbed her nose against her mother’s, Mercy giggled. “But Mama and I are guards, so our family doesn’t need three.” Mercy nodded.

“I agree,” she said. “So when is the wedding?”

“Well they have to wait because Mastero Raymond isn’t here to perform it,” Calla said with a tut.

“Obviously,” I smiled. “But I’m sure he will eagerly perform it when he comes home.” IF he comes home, I thought to myself. I didn’t like not knowing what was happening with them all in Phania. “Calla love, you said you were hungry, have a sandwich,” she went to the cart and grabbed one. “And come here and snuggle with Jack and me.” I knew she wasn’t actually that hungry, but was perhaps a little jealous so I happily let her nestle into my side while she nibbled. “He’s being very good today, don’t you think?”

“Yes,” she nodded, “but he was very loud last night.” I laughed. “Uncle Tristan, is Chase very loud when he cries like, Jack?”

“He is,” Tristan smiled. “Luckily for Chase he doesn’t have an older sister to bother, just Aunt Caro and me. Why?”

“I don’t know,” Calla said with a sigh, “I thought perhaps he was quieter and we might switch them.” I laughed.

“I’m afraid not Duck,” I said, “you were even louder than Jack, if you can believe it.” She rolled her eyes.

“I doubt that very much,” she stuck her nose in the air. She stood up. “May Althea and I go play outside?”

“Stay in the tower garden,” Aaron said, “Uncle Tristan has a great deal more to do than run around the grounds looking for the two of you.” Calla and Althea ran out the door. Mercy laughed.

“Honestly, I don’t think a single one of Cammadan’s enemies has a chance with those two in charge,” Mercy grinned. I laughed. “Switch the babies, it’s genius.” Caro walked in with Chase in her arms, followed by Elodie.

“Love,” Mercy said, “should we find another one?” She nodded towards the babies. Elodie had taken a sip of her tea and choked.

“No,” Elodie shook her head and I laughed. “Gods, Mercy, Althea was already three months older than Jack when we got her, and that was hard enough.” Caro laughed. “And considering that she took that sword, Tristan and disemboweled half of her stuffed animals yesterday, because Calla declared them a threat while they were playing I think our hands will remain full.”

“I don’t know where she learned that,” Tristan held up his hands, “I was saving disemboweling for after she turned six.” I laughed and Caro accepted a note from a page who walked in. She scowled. “What is it love?”

“Something being confirmed that I hoped wasn’t,” she mumbled, “Elodie, have you had a report from the border lately?”

“Not since Prior got there, why?” Elodie shook her head. Caro exhaled.

“No reason,” she said and then she was back with us. I knew better than to ask, if she just learned something we needed to know, we’d know it. Aaron glanced at me, realizing it was in his power to order her to speak up right now. He’s regent, and she’s his spy master. “It’s really not important, just some rumors, if it’s anything I’ll report.” Aaron nodded.

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Grounding

Marina

We were back at the manor. Damian had gone to bed, and I was staring at Tristan, he leaned looking out the window. Gods, he’s so beautiful, he’s always been so beautiful.

A lifetime of flames can’t be quenched by one hurried night Nika had said. Were they still burning? I feel so many things when I look at Tristan, but I don’t think I burn. Although at the moment all desire feels far away.

“Tristan,” I whispered and he looked at me. “What did she say to you, exactly?” He exhaled. “Amina, I mean.”

“You will be offered a great temptation,” he said, “And if you fall to it, you will lose this.”

“And you assumed that meant me, or Annalise?” I said, he walked over to me.

“What else could it mean?” He asked. I shook my head.

“All kinds of things,” I shrugged, “power, the kind she could give you, something about your grandfather and the guild, Amina’s not known for being straightforward,” he cupped my face and I shrunk back.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, “you’re not,” he exhaled, “Lestoff, and Caro, I know we can’t, I’m just, gods, look at you.”

“It isn’t that,” I shook my head, “I mean it is, but I also,” I exhaled, “being touched, like that, I can’t, I haven’t,” he nodded. “I don’t trust myself, to know what I want, that way. He,” I swallowed, “the things he did, the way it felt, it’s all still there, on my skin, in me, I can’t,” I started crying.

“What did he do to you?” He asked. I looked at him. “Say it out loud, Marina, it helps.” I sat down and he sat down with me. “Breathe,” he rested his hand on my chest, it wasn’t sexual, it wasn’t even tender, just pressure. “And then say it.” I took a deep breath.

“He took my mind,” I said, “he wrapped shadow around it, and made me,” I exhaled, “made me beg for him. And it was every night, however he wanted, sometimes tender, sometimes rough, sometimes he’d just have me touch myself while he watched.” Tristan nodded. “And I liked it, I liked pleasing him, I like the release of it. Except sometimes it would come back to me, this voice, my mind, and I was screaming, that I hated him, that I didn’t want any of it and it hurt,” he pressed his forehead to mine, “and when I wake up in the dark it’s still all there, when Damian touches me, when you touched me,” I exhaled. “It’s like it’s happening all over again, like I can’t say yes or no, I can’t choose, there’s like no choice.”

“It’s over,” he whispered, “when it happens, that is what you need to do, you need to take a deep breath, you need to remember that it did happen, but it’s over, and you need to remember where you are, where are you?” I closed my eyes, “don’t do that, keep looking at me, where are you, Marina?”

“I’m in the drawing room,” I said, “in Brightcoast Manor.” He nodded. “It did happen, but it’s over.” He nodded and I took another deep breath. “How do you know how to do this?” He smiled.

“Soldiers have these kinds of episodes a lot,” he said, “why do you think Martin meditates so much? Why he makes all of us learn how? It helps.” I looked at him.

“Do you?” I asked.

“Not so much anymore,” he said, “I used to. About taking Dovetail.” I nodded. “You said something about letters,” he whispered. I nodded.

“I took it,” I ran to the desk and pulled out the book. He opened it. “This is how he knew so much about me, about us.”

“Gods, I really did have a stick up my ass,” he muttered. I laughed. “How did I not know I was love with you? How did I miss it?” I glanced at the page he was looking at and smiled.

I find myself thinking of you, even when it makes no sense, I wrote, maybe when I was twelve, or thirteen? When I see the guards, or a golden horse, or at my studies, when one of the sister’s tells me to be more serious. I smiled.

I am sitting in the woods and saw two foxes trotting past, he wrote one time, it reminded me of dancing. Are you too grand and pious to dance these days? I swallowed and he looked at me.

“How did you get it?” He asked, I shrugged.

“I was still writing to you, even when I couldn’t send them,” I explained. “Some part of me knew I didn’t want him seeing, so I took it, and kept it on me.” He blinked.

“I waited for a letter,” he said, “sort of, I kept expecting,” he swallowed, “like it was any other time we were apart, that you’d write and I’d answer.” I nodded and flipped to the back.

Dear Tristan,

It’s dark and cold and dead here. I keep thinking about my little birds at Brightcoast, and I pray that they are well. Will you go to see them, and my father? When your baby is born, please take a small white one for them, and tell them about your foolish friend who traded her soul for something that is already dying in her.

He saw all of it, between us. There’s no reason to hope that it will be different this time.

Do swear to watch over Lisette for me. She needs to be loved so much, my poor heart.

Your Friend, Forever and Always

Marina

“You want my son to have one of our birds?” He said. I nodded. “A great honor for him,” I smiled, I leaned back against him. “It wasn’t for nothing,” he whispered. “What you traded, it wasn’t for nothing. You love him,” I looked at him. “Any of us would have, for the people we love.”

“Annalise wouldn’t have,” I whispered. He exhaled.

“Maybe not for Eric, or Prior or me,” he said, “but for you,” he looked at me. “She’d have done it for you.” I looked at him. “And maybe Aaron.” I laughed. “But mostly just you, you’re the person she loves most in the world, Rina.” I nodded and rolled over to be looking at him. “In some other world, some other Tristan was less foolish, and managed to keep you.”

“Even in this one,” I said softly, “you’re the one I trust with my soul.” I’d named it, finally, this permanent, impossible to break bond between us. It didn’t change anything, it didn’t make Caro or Damian matter less, but Tristan was mine, and I was his. “Go home,” I said. “The person you’d trade the world for shouldn’t have to share you anymore.” He cupped my face.

“The person you did it for is upstairs,” he whispered, “and he’s a good man, Rina.”

“What happened while I was down there?” I asked. “You two were practically at each other’s throats in Rastan.”

“For a while when you were taken too,” he said, “but he’s important to Caro, and you. So I am seeing the best in him.” I nodded. “I’ll go in the morning.” I smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

“I love you,” I whispered. “And thank you, for this.”

“I love you too,” he whispered. “Anything you need.” I smiled and went upstairs and undressed. I slid into bed with Damian and wrapped around me. I didn’t shrink away.

It happened. But it’s over.

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Interlude: The Parting Of The Ways

Olivia

She groaned in pleasure as Anton finished and the collapsed against her. She giggled as he rolled over and exhaled and looked at her.

“Gods, that was wonderful,” he said. She smiled and rolled onto her stomach and kissed him.

“It really was,” she said and stood up.

“Are you going somewhere?” He said. She looked over her shoulder at him, and went to the table and poured a glass of wine. “Get me one too.” She smirked and poured another and walked back to bed and handed it to him. “You should move in here.”

“My father would love that,” she said and kissed him. “He’s already taken to grumbling about this whole situation whenever it comes up.” Anton smirked.

“Does it come up often?” He asked. “Or just when he does ridiculous things like try to marry you off to Caleb Pantona?” She laughed.

“Caleb isn’t so bad,” she shook her head, Anton kissed the spot between her shoulder and neck. “Tom wrote me,” Anton pulled back.

“Did he?” He said. She nodded. “And what did he have to say?” She looked at him.

“He was promoted,” she said. Anton nodded.

“Livvie, not to denigrate what I’m sure was a fantastic letter, but you do realize that I am the Crown Prince, and I was present, when the decision to promote Tom was made?” He teased. “He’ll be a fantastic Commander, probably general someday.”

“It means more money,” she said, he nodded, “And a house on palace grounds. So he’s asked me to marry him,” Anton rolled onto his side and looked at her, “I’m saying yes.”

“Alright,” Anton said. “May I ask why?” She frowned.

“I love him,” Olivia said. He smirked. “People do fall in love, Anton. Tom and I have.”

“Maybe I’m in love with you,” he said. She barked a laugh. “It’s not a ridiculous notion. You’ve been my mistress for a year.”

“It is a ridiculous notion,” she said, “you’re asking me now because you’re jealous, not because you want to, you’ve had a year to ask.” He looked at her. “I have to marry, Anton,” he pushed her hair off her face. “This has been fun, really, but,” he kissed her.

“You sound like my mother,” he whispered, “you’re having your fun, but you must get serious at some point, Anton,” she looked up at him. “I don’t see why you marrying Tom means we have to end things.” She pushed him off.

“You don’t mean that,” she said. “It would kill him.” He sighed. “He loves you, he’d die for you.”

“And you love him,” Anton said, “and I love you, even if you don’t believe me,” she looked at him. “Seems like we all love the wrong person, Livvie.” She frowned at that. She and Tom never discussed it. What his feelings for Anton were. If they were anything beyond friendship, she was afraid to ask. But she couldn’t explain what being in love was like to someone who wasn’t, who hadn’t been. Her mind was constantly occupied by Tom, even when he was away, even during her nights with Anton. And when he was near, it took everything in her to not touch him, not talk to him.

She never felt that way with Anton. She loved their time together, the sex was mind blowing, but it wasn’t the same feeling at all.

“Why?” He asked. Olivia looked at him. “You said you have to marry. Why?” She looked at him.

“I don’t want to live with my father forever,” she frowned. Anton took her hand and kissed it.

“I’ve offered you a way out of that,” he pointed out. She smiled.

“I want children,” she said. Anton sat back. “And there it is.” He exhaled.

“I could give you children,” he said.

“Not without marriage,” she said, with a raise of her shoulder. “I won’t end up like Allison Bettencourt, shuffled off to some country retreat because ‘Dovetail bastards aren’t kept in the capital.'” He frowned. It had been a long time since they had discussed his father’s former mistress, a girl not much older than them, who’d fallen pregnant and subsequently been banished from court. Olivia had been disturbed by the whole episode, and Anton had spent a lot of time reassuring her that she had nothing to fear, he’d never let such a thing happen to her.

“I’m not my father, Livvie,” he whispered. She looked at him.

“No,” she said, “you aren’t.” He looked at her. “I understand if you never want to get married, Anton,” she whispered. “I can’t imagine looking at your parents it seems particularly appealing,” he nodded, “but in that case, you should spend more time with your cousin.” He groaned.

“Brayton is not the answer to this problem,” he shook his head. Olivia shrugged and pulled a robe on.

“He’s next in line after you,” she said, “if you’re not going to marry and have children, he’ll be king eventually.”

“Gods,” Anton muttered, “that’s troubling.” She laughed. “If this is a ploy to get me to marry you, it might work.” She sighed.

“It is not a ploy,” she kissed him softly. “I don’t want to marry you. I wouldn’t mind it, but I love Tom.” She pressed her forehead to his. “I think I’ll do better at Madame Martin than I would as Queen Olivia.”

“So this is goodbye, then?” Anton asked. Olivia nodded. He stood up and went and pulled a rope, that she knew called a servant or guard.

“What are you doing?” She giggled.

“You rang?” John Dugarry walked in. “Cornan save me, Anton please cover yourself. Hello Livvie.”

“Hello,” she giggled.

“Lady Olivia and require something very luxurious to eat, and some of that sparkling wine from Brightcoast,” Anton said. John sighed loudly.

“I’m not your butler, get your own damn wine,” he said. “And you should both know that toasting her engagement right after whatever you two just did is in terrible taste.”

“Oh, John, you don’t mean that,” Olivia pouted. He looked at her. “How did you know?”

“Please,” he rolled his eyes. Anton had pulled pants on. “Tom has been asking me for months what I thought your answer would be.” Olivia looked at her friend.

“Really?” She blushed. Anton sighed. “Oh you’ll find someone else, stop being dramatic.”

“I won’t like her nearly as much,” Anton shook his head. “John, I was serious about the wine.”

“Anton, I was serious about not getting it,” John smirked.

“And what about you?” Olivia asked sitting down with him. “Are you going to Dorin soon?”

“Sometime this year,” John said. “My father is eager for the business to be done so he can wash his hands of Dumanis. He doesn’t trust him.”

“With good reason,” Anton shook his head, “Carlton Dumanis is merciless, my father calls him a thug in a velvet jacket.” John shrugged.

“Unless his daughter is also heartless, I doubt I’ll be through with him for most of my life,” John shrugged and poured himself a glass of wine.

Twelve Years Later

“I was so worried,” Olivia said opening the kitchen door and letting Anton in. He was holding Annalise against his hip, her little head leaned against his shoulder as she slumbered, “oh darling thing,” she whispered and took her. “Where is Marie?”

“We got separated,” Anton said, his voice cracking. Olivia looked at him. “I’m just telling myself that he wouldn’t hurt her, it’s the only thing keeping me sane.” Annalise stirred.

“I’ll send word to Trey first thing, he’ll find her,” Olivia said as they walked upstairs. Annalise stirred and woke up, her wide grey eyes stared into hers.

“Papa? Where’s Mama?” She asked. Anton cupped her face.

“She’ll be here soon, my love,” he whispered.

“For now let me take you to the nursery and you can sleep with Viscount Aaron,” Olivia said. The Princess stretched and yawned. “Sleep well, dearest,” Olivia kissed her. She hated this separation for Marie and Annalise. The idea of even a few nights away from Aaron made her feel itchy.

“Thank you,” Annalise said, “where’s Thena?”

“In Dovetail,” Olivia said softly, “looking after Mama.”

“Good,” Annalise said before snuggling and falling back to sleep. Olivia went downstairs and saw Anton sitting with Caleb.

“Did she fall back to sleep?” Anton asked. Olivia nodded.

“She asked for Athena,” Olivia sighed. Anton nodded.

“Are the Dugarrys coming?” Caleb asked.

“Not until we get Marie out,” Anton shook his head. “Alexia won’t leave her and John won’t leave Alexia and the twins,” he sighed. “Tristan is frightfully serious for a little one and Athena barely leaves Annalise’s side, I don’t think the separation will be good for anyone.”

“What about Anne and Les?” Caleb asked. “Last I heard they were leaving, but surely Marina’s a useful hostage, he would have tried to hold them back.”

“They got to Brightcoast,” Anton sighed. “Thank the gods. Marina can’t even crawl yet, I’m sure it was slow going.” Olivia smiled. “I shouldn’t have left the city.”

“She’ll be safe,” Caleb said. “You’re right that Brayton won’t see her harmed. Locked away maybe, but between John, Alexia and Trey we can work with that.” Anton nodded. Olivia always wondered what her former lover and her husband thought of each other. They hadn’t really ever been friends. But Marie and her brother adored Caleb, which covered a large swath of awkwardness. “Your son is growing well.” Anton snorted a laugh.

“Don’t even joke about it,” Olivia shook her head. Caleb looked at her indulgently. “They’ll use it against Annalise.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Anton said, “even if Aaron were my son, which is obviously impossible, Annalise is my child, born with my wife, she’d be ahead of him in line.”

“She’s a girl,” Olivia said. “And half Phanian. If anyone were to take it seriously that Aaron might be your son,” she exhaled, “it’s been enough this time.”

“None of this is your fault, Livvie,” Anton said. She looked at him.

“We were reckless,” she said. “I was,” she picked at her skirt.

“That’s your father talking,” Caleb said. She looked at him. Reckless little slut, she could still hear him yelling, feel the sting of a paddle or whip or belt. “This will all pass, Olivia. Aaron won’t be a weapon.” She smiled at her husband, always knowing what to say.

“I know you won’t sleep, Anton,” Olivia said softly, “but you should try.” He nodded and left the room. “Something terrible is going to happen.”

“It’s already happened,” Caleb said, “we’ll find Marie, Olivia, I swear it.”

Six Months Later

“Olivia,” Caleb walked into the nursery where she was stroking the sleeping Annalise’s head. “Everyone’s here, we have to talk about it.”

“We can’t send her away,” Olivia whispered. He kissed her head gently. “She’s his.”

“I know, my love,” he said softly. “But it’s not only up to us.” She stood up and walked down to the study. Tom and Alexia and John were sitting waiting. Les and Anne had just arrived, Anne holding baby Marina in her arms.

“Livvie,” Tom whispered and she ran to him. Maybe it was wrong, Caleb was right here, but she wanted to hold him. Only he would understand. “I’m so sorry, my dearest.”

“Me too,” she whispered. “She’s staying here.”

“Just like that?” John said. “It’s an awfully final decision to make.” Olivia stared daggers at her old friend. “We all lost them, Livvie, not just you.” She suddenly felt terribly guilty, why did John have to see everything so clearly?

“Anton and Marie are buried here,” Les whispered, “that matters.” Anne squeezed her husband’s hand. “And Brayton trusts Caleb, or at least doesn’t distrust him.”

“What about your cousin?” Alexia asked. Les looked at her and inhaled.

“Elana has offered us safety,” he shrugged, “and I’ve written two letters. One accepting her, and the other saying that Annalise disappeared with Anselm.” Anne frowned.

“We don’t necessarily trust her, or Daniel,” Anne explained. “Especially since Cyrus has been failing, and the little prince died.”

“Not Aimee’s son?” Alexia asked.

“No, Elana and Daniel’s,” Anne said gently. “Stillborn, poor thing. Eric is thriving, which is almost more worrying.”

“They’ll want a betrothal,” John said. “Especially if she’s living there.” Alexia snorted derisively. “Oh, do you have an opinion on it, Lexi? Please enlighten us, you’ve never mentioned it!” Olivia almost wanted to smile, she knew it was grief and exhaustion fueling John’s mood but at least he was acting like himself. That was a comfort.

“Children shouldn’t be pawns in power games,” she said sharply to her husband. He looked at her. “We got lucky. Annalise and Eric may not.”

“Don’t let your father or Trey hear you talking that way,” Tom said. “They’re already cataloguing Athena’s dowry.” Alexia glared at him. “Annalise is already half Phanian and in hiding. I don’t think that being raised out of the country will help matters.” He lifted her face. “You want her?”

“Of course,” she whispered. He smiled gently at her. “She’s Anton’s daughter.” He nodded and looked at Caleb.

“Anything,” Caleb whispered. “Anything she wants.”

Olivia lay in bed that night crying softly. She had every night for a week. Caleb came in and sat down.

“Olivia,” he whispered, “you know I’ve never questioned you,” she rolled over. “I swore I never would,” she looked at him.

“Do you doubt me?” She whispered. He cupped her face.

“Maybe your heart, a little,” he whispered, “I’m not a saint, my love.” She smiled. “I’ve never doubted your faithfulness, and I’m not jealous by nature,” he trailed off.

“I loved Anton,” she said, “he was my dearest friend,” Caleb nodded. “And when we were together it was, well, it was like living in constant sunshine.” She kissed him. “But we weren’t in love, it wasn’t like that, between us. Nothing like this, like us,” he smiled. “But she’s Anton’s, she’s a part of him and I can’t have lost all of him, Caleb, I just can’t.” He nodded and kissed her again.

“Alright,” he said. “She’s ours then.” She smiled. “She’ll need a new name.”

“And a story,” she whispered. He nodded. “Is she yours?” He laughed.

“Years of you being unfaithful and suddenly I had a Phanian mistress?” He said. She smiled. “There’s a war, Olivia, there are plenty of orphans and everyone knows we wanted more children, an adoption wouldn’t be that strange.” She nodded. “It will be hard on Aaron.”

“To have a sister?” Olivia asked and snuggled into him.

“To have a secret,” Caleb whispered. She nodded.

“It is a little selfish of me,” Olivia whispered, “maybe Brightcoast would be better. Les is her uncle.” Caleb exhaled.

“That’s too dangerous,” he whispered. “She and Marina together,” Olivia exhaled. He was probably right about that. Caleb’s mind turned that way, it was remarkable, he always saw four steps ahead of her, and she usually saw six steps ahead of everyone else. “No, here is right, even with the bonus that it will make you happy.” She looked at him.

“I might still have another,” she said softly. He looked at hver.

“After Joseph,” he said softly, “I don’t know that I can do it again, Olivia.” She looked at him. “I love you, and we can keep trying, if you really want to, but,” he closed his eyes. “We don’t need it.”

“Poor Joseph,” she whispered, she’d at least gotten to hold him. Which was somehow better and worse than the miscarriages. He’d come too soon, he was too small, he could barely breathe. And she’d held him until he stopped. And then Caleb had held her. Had let her cry and scream and curse the gods, and then he’d wrapped their little boy in satin, and let her look away while they put him in the ground. But Caleb hadn’t looked away, hadn’t blinked, hadn’t faltered.

He never did.

“Lisette,” he whispered. Olivia looked at him. “Her name.”

“That came quickly,” she smiled.

“It was the one I had in mind,” he admitted, “if Joseph had been a girl,” he drifted off. “It’s like a part of Annalise, I thought it would be nice, to honor her,” she looked at him. The depths of this man.

“Lisette then,” she said. “She’s ours.” Caleb nodded.

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Termination

Note: So, here’s the thing, early early in my notes, I knew that Marina was going to get pregnant by Brayton, and in drafts before a year or so ago, she was going to miscarry. But at the moment, it feels very important to me that she chooses to end the pregnancy. Abortion is healthcare, and too many people who need it are denied it. If you can, donate to a local abortion fund, help women stay safe, healthy, and free: https://abortionfunds.org/find-a-fund/

Marina

Arriving in Brightcoast feels like the sun has banished the last of the grey clouds settled in my mind and then seeing my father it was like a thousand suns crashing through. I ran to him.

“Oh Rina,” he whispered.

“You’re so bright,” I said. “Your aura.” He smiled.

“I’ll explain it all, I swear,” he said, and cupped my cheek. “For now let me be glad you’re safe and home.” I hugged him.

Not safe yet. The voice, the one that stayed with me cackles. The part of me that stayed sane is now crazy. That’s the only way I can explain it. But Nika made the potion, tonight it will be done.

“It will be like when you bleed monthly,” she explained as we settled into my room in The Manor, where we’d spent so many nights together. “But with some more pain.” I nodded. “Are you sure?”

“Are you trying to talk me out of it?” I asked.

“No,” Nika said. “But it’s not my decision. Brea always makes sure. She’s better at this sort of thing.” I kissed her softly.

“I’m glad it’s you and not Brea,” I whispered, “she’d probably yell at me.” Nika laughed.

“I’ll stay with you the whole time, if you like,” she said.

“Nika,” I whispered, “why have you been staying with me?”

“Because I love you,” she said, “even if we aren’t going to be together, even if I know we’re all wrong, my love isn’t going to go away. It will change, but I’ll always love you.” I nodded. “Now,” she said softly and handed me one cup. “This is the one that will pull the growing seed from you,” I swallowed, “and this,” the one she was holding, “will put you to sleep while it happens. Not everyone uses the second, but the first few hours, as I understand, can be very painful.”

“I’ll sleep,” I whispered. I didn’t want to think about it, I just wanted it done. I sipped down the first potion, it was bitter but not unpalatable, and then took the second and slipped under into dreamless inky black.

I woke up stretched feeling a little groggy and sore. I looked over and saw Damian sitting in a chair.

“Where’s Nika?” I asked.

“She went to get something to eat and sleep a little,” he said gently, “but she wanted someone to watch you in case there was too much blood.” I looked down, the sheets were soaked.

“And you know what too much is?” I asked him. He smiled softly.

“Yes,” he said softly. I thought about his life and realized this probably wasn’t the first time he’d been through this. I didn’t ask, four years ago I would have. Now I didn’t care, it didn’t matter. “Let’s clean you up a bit.” I swallowed and stood up, I flinched when he reached for me. I hated that. I didn’t want to. I wanted to fall into him, to let him hold me and soothe me.

And I could see he wanted to, but I was still too skittish, something in me still unhealed. He walked me to my tub, which was full and smelled heavenly I stepped into it.

“Damian,” I said gently, and he took my hand and squeezed it. “You pulled me off him.”

“He was pretty good and dead,” he laughed, “I don’t think more stabbing would have done much.” I smiled. “He didn’t hurt you, though?”

“Not really,” I whispered, “he was cruel, mean. But physically,” I exhaled, “he pampered me, mostly.” He nodded. I could see that he knew I was hedging, but I couldn’t talk about the hurt yet, his hands too tight on my wrists, how raw I would feel between my legs in the mornings, the bruises on my buttocks, and thighs, the bites on my breasts, and how there was the deep broken part of me that liked it, “I need to see Tristan at some point,” I mumbled. I knew he’d hate that. But I also knew Tristan would see, that I wouldn’t have to explain it.

“He’ll come,” Lefty whispered, “after the baby.” I looked at him. “Or we can go there, the house is very pleasant.” I laughed for what felt like the first time in my life. “Is something funny?”

“You stayed in their house?” I said in disbelief. “And you two didn’t kill one another?” He grinned.

“No love,” he said softly. “I might say we’re friends now, even.” I looked at him skeptically. “Not good friends, but something like how Eric feels about Harran.”

“I see,” I whispered. I didn’t tell him about how Brayton had broken me, that it had been my connection to Tristan that did it. “Damian,” I whispered. “How did you know? About the blood?” He looked away. “Your mother?”

“Even after she,” he sighed, “well, she married my father, it wasn’t as though she was still,” he shook his head, “but she had friends and if there was trouble, her word,” I smiled, “they’d stay with us, if they needed to.”

“I thought maybe,” I sighed, “there was someone, before.” He laughed.

“I’ve always been very careful,” he said, “my father practically beat it into me. If I was going to be a scoundrel I was to be safe about it, and not put some poor girl in danger.” I looked at him. “But yes, I’ve seen what the sheets look like.” I exhaled. “How are you feeling?”

“Strange,” I whispered. “Tired,” he nodded. “Damian, can you kiss me?” He knelt down beside me and kissed me softly.

“I was waiting for you to ask,” he said, “you seem to not want me to touch you.” I sighed.

“I don’t know why,” I said, “when I think about it, it’s all I want, but then you go to and,” I shivered. “Maybe it will be better now.”

“Maybe,” he said, “but you do need to heal. There’s no rush.” He kissed me gently again, this time I opened my mouth and tasted him. After he pulled back we sat happily in silence while I continued to wash. “I’m going to change the sheets, and then we’ll put you back to bed.” I smiled. “I won’t have Nika angry at me for your care being neglected.” I smiled again and when I got out of the tub, I wrapped myself in a towel before finding a nightgown and pulling it over my head. I curled up in the fresh bed.

“Lay with me?” I asked. He smiled and did so. I fell asleep in his arms.

Safe.

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