Annalise
Our arrival in Brinecliff wasn’t quiet. We were expecting it to be, but apparently Queen Aimee Saw us coming. A ferry intercepted us with a note.
My Darling Boy, when will you learn you cannot sneak up on me. We will greet you at the dock. – Mother
“I hate when she does that,” Eric muttered. I looked at him. “Truly, it’s very irritating.” I laughed. “I’m glad you came,” he whispered. I rested my head against his shoulder.
“I don’t actually know how long I can stay,” I sighed, “Aaron wasn’t thrilled about the idea of regenting, he hates it.” He laughed.
“If you need to go earlier than planned, I’ll make sure Marina comes back to you strong and whole,” he whispered. I exhaled. “She’s already a good deal better.” I sighed. Her memory was back which I wasn’t sure was better. Ending the pregnancy took a lot out of her physically, but seems to have steadied her mind and dreams.
“I know that,” I smiled. I leaned back into him. Here I was again, at a crossroads, with Eric in front of me. Will he wait again? Do I want him to? “I missed you so much. Every day.”
“I missed you too,” he whispered. “I thought I was going to die without ever seeing you again.” I sighed. He says these things, and we’re sleeping together and we still can’t know what’s ahead.
“Eric,” I whispered, “what are we going to have to do, to stay together?”
“Immediately?” He said, “get my brother to pull his head out of his ass, and approve the engagement.”
“What if before your brother pulled his head out of his ass,” I whispered, “I had married Prior, what would you have done?”
“Kill him,” he said casually and I laughed. “Which I suppose will be difficult with someone I like as much as Prior.” I shook my head at him.
“You couldn’t kill anyone on purpose,” I whispered and kissed him. “You’re too gentle.” He pulled me close. I was baiting him, I’d just last night been reminded how gentle Eric wasn’t. And how much I loved it.
“Excuse me Captain, Your Majesty,” A sailor approached us and cleared his throat. I was vaguely amused by how his crew called him Captain rather than Your Highness, “We’re docking so I suggest you get ready. You know how The Dowager hates waiting.” Eric sighed.
“Are you ready to meet my mother?” He asked and I grinned. “I don’t like that look. I have this feeling the two of you together are going to be the death of me.”
“Don’t be silly,” I said bouncing ahead of him.
“Drowned to death by the suffocating mercurial love of psychic queens,” he muttered. I rolled my eyes. Marina was already waiting, her arm looped through Lefty’s. She was thin, but her color seemed returned. She was smiling. She didn’t smile much anymore, I could live on it.
“You feel it don’t you?” She whispered to me. I nodded. I glanced at the dock and saw her standing there. “She’s so warm.”
“She smells like sea foam,” I said. We all experience other magic users auras differently. Marina feels temperature, and Nika and Raymond see lights. I smell things. A gang plank was rolled up and I walked out over it. Queen Aimee smiled warmly at me.
“Your Majesty,” she said softly. “Welcome to Brinecliff.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” I smiled.
“Well,” Aimee looked at Eric, “are you just going to scowl at me or are you going to greet me properly.” Eric walked over and kissed her on the cheek.
“Hello Mother,” he said. “Where’s Simon?”
“Working, no doubt,” Lefty chimed in, she nodded, “your majesty,” he kissed her as well, “may I present Duchess Marina Sanpierre.” Marina dipped into a small curtsey.
“I am so glad you’ve both finally come,” Aimee said, embracing Marina. “My gods, you do look like Marie.” And then she looked at me. “But you’re your father,” we started walking. “I danced with him once, Anton.” She sighed. “He was very handsome and quite attentive. My first husband was so kind but he was an old man, when it came to it. Anton and John DuGarry were far too much for me to take.” I laughed.
“Did Lady Katrin come home safe?” Marina asked.
“Oh Kat is fine,” Aimee shrugged, “back in Vacana, helping Karina plan her wedding. Amazing isn’t it? For his daughter our king moves the whole world,” it sounded liked she was winding up for a rant and I grinned.
“Mother,” Eric said gently, “don’t.” She sighed.
“Tell me, Queen Annalise,” Aimee smiled over her shoulder at her son, “did you know how ashamed of me my son was?” I giggled.
“He hadn’t mentioned it, no,” I said. She sighed loudly.
“It’s a trial to have such a willful and ungrateful child,” she shook her head. “Damian and Kat are much kinder to me, thank Rana.”
“I’m her favorite,” Lefty chuckled and Marina giggled with him. “Something about not having to actually give birth to me is endearing.”
“It does help,” Aimee nodded. We walked up to a compound of smallish brightly painted houses. Marina’s face was completely lit up, which made my heart swell. “Welcome to Brinecliff, my dears. I’m so happy to have you.” She instructed some servants to show us to our villa and Eric paused.
“The Queen will stay with me,” he said. Aimee exhaled through her nose. “And the Duchess with Lefty.” Her eyebrows raised.
“You are not in Cammadan now,” she said, her voice gentle, but firm. I looked at her, as I watched Eric nod, chastened. “While I am glad it appears you two have reconciled, I will not risk the queen’s reputation under my roof.” He dropped his shoulders in defeat, as if this had been a long fight between them. Had this been an issue with Talia, I wondered?
“Of course,” He mumbled, “Anya,” he kissed my hand. “I will see you later.” He left. I smiled at her.
“You must teach me to do that,” I said. She laughed hard.
“Will you be alright?” Lefty said softly. Marina nodded and he kissed her forehead. “You are not to be brave, if you need me, send for me.”
“Of course,” she smiled. Aimee nodded and we followed her to one of the buildings, painted a comforting seafoam color.
“I hope you two find comfort here,” she said and kissed my cheek again and squeezed Marina’s hand. “You are safe, you feel it, don’t you?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Marina said gently. “And I thank you.” She smiled and left us. “I like her.”
“I worship her,” I said and landed on a couch. “Did you see how she quieted the boys? I’ve never gotten Eric to agree to anything so quickly.” Marina laughed.
“What are you going to do?” She asked. “Now that you’re here?” I sighed.
“I’ll have to go to Vacana, I think,” I said, “I can’t just come to Brinecliff and then head home without properly meeting Daniel.” Marina made an affirmative voice. “What will your father say?” She laughed.
“After the past few months, I worry Papa will sprout wings and fly us back to Brightcoast himself, if we stay away too long,” she said. I smiled softly at her. “I am getting better, Lisette,” I nodded. She wasn’t telling me the truth. The ship was small. We all heard her screaming at night. But she’d stopped shrinking from Lefty when he went to hold her. That was something. “You’ve been busy.”
“He’s energetic,” I giggled and fell back against the bed, “either I’d forgotten how skilled he was, or he’s improved.” She laughed. A maid came and asked if we wanted baths, which we both accepted and I soaked happily, clear warm water and rose scented oil soothing me.
“This is a sight I dreamed about,” Eric said softly, standing in the doorway. I looked up at him. “Though I was hoping I wouldn’t have to sneak to you.” I smirked and slid back.
“Do you want to join me?” I whispered.
“More than the whole world,” he said, “unfortunately I’ve been sent to fetch you both. Simon is insisting on family dinner, which wasn’t something I knew we did, and is exceptionally odd because Kat isn’t here.” I laughed. Marina walked in, wearing one of the wrap dresses I’d noticed several women around the compound wearing, brightly colored, patterned, this one a lively gold with little white birds on it.
“Is it alright?” She asked.
“It suits you,” I said, her hair was combed out and puffy too, she’d skipped her makeup. She looked so soft and natural. I rose out of the tub and on instinct, Marina picked up a towel and wrapped me. It had been years since she dressed me.
“I’ll leave you both,” Eric kissed me. “You do look nice, Rina.” I rolled my eyes.
“I’m sure there’s one for you,” Marina said to me. I looked at her.
“No, I’ll wear the training dress that’s clean,” I shook my head. She looked at me oddly. “It’s not that I’m not happy to be here, I am, but I’m the Queen of Cammadan. I have to be that the whole time.” She exhaled.
“Of course,” she helped me dress and then left. Eric was sitting waiting for me in my bedroom.
“I don’t think I’ve spent much time in this one,” he looked around, “getting to know it should be interesting.” I rolled my eyes and went to leave, “where do you think you’re going?”
“We’re having dinner,” I said. He raised an eyebrow and half smirked. “You said we didn’t have time.”
“I’ve changed my mind,” he said, “come over here.” I crossed my arms. “Now, My Queen.” My heart stopped, the way he says it makes me shiver, not deferential, but commanding, possessive. I’m his. I step closer to the bed and he stands up and bends me over it. “We’ll have to be quick, but we’ll manage.” I inhaled sharply as he entered me.
Lefty
I stood sipping plainly on the glass of rum, leaning against the porch watching the tide role in. Gods, I loved it here.
“So you’ve brought her,” my father came to my side. “What next?” I exhaled.
“I pledged myself to Annalise,” I said. He looked at me with a sigh. “It was the only thing to do at the time, Da. I didn’t know that I could ever bear to come back, if she’d,” I couldn’t finish it, couldn’t even think it.
“What does Eric say?” He asked. I looked skeptically at him. “So you two are still there, then? That’s a shame.”
“It won’t ever be the same,” I shook my head. “Not after this.”
“You’re brothers,” he reminded me. As if I could forget it. “And now likely to marry to women who are family as well.” I exhaled and nodded. He didn’t understand, I couldn’t explain it to him either, the way my heart had broken when Eric had refused to leave Rastan with us. “Gods,” he mumbled, and I smiled, Marina was walking up the beach dressed in an orange Pharras wrap dress, her hair brushed out so her curls stuck out in a round style. “You weren’t exaggerating.”
“No,” I smiled and walked over to her. “You look lovely.”
“I hope it’s alright,” she said softly, “my things weren’t unpacked yet, and it was in my room.”
“It suits you,” I whispered and kissed her. Gods, I want her, I can be patient, I waited four years, but being near her, and knowing that even to touch her, hurts her, it’s torture.
Marina
I feel so safe here, and how Damian is holding me, is making me shiver, but for once, I think it’s a good shiver.
“My lady,” the older man who’d been on the porch joined us.
“Marina, love,” Damian said gently, “may I present my father, Lord Simon Lestoff.” I smiled. “Da, this is Duchess Marina Sanpierre, my beloved.” The only claim he ever made on me, beloved, like he was nervous to ask me for anything more official. Like I would deny it, as I’d been denying him.
“To finally see you is the greatest of blessings,” Simon said and kissed me on the cheek. I smiled at him. “And where are the other two?”
“Right here,” Eric said bouncing up behind me, he was glowing and tucking his shirt in. It hadn’t been askew when I’d left them, Lisette was behind him, glowing in her uniform dress. “Hello Simon.”
“Eric,” Simon said with a sigh, “Your Majesty,” he bowed to Lisette who dipped lightly.
“Lord Lestoff, thank you for having us,” she said softly, I noticed a love bite settling on her neck. The Prince’s Glory was small, it wasn’t as if we hadn’t heard them, and Annalise never made a secret of her sex life, but she was rarely this brazen.
“Eric what did I say?” Queen Aimee walked outside and looked at her son and at Annalise. I burst into a laugh and Damian looked at me and started laughed. “My son’s clear disrespect for your reputation is my fault.”
“I can assure you,” Eric said stepping onto the porch and pouring a glass of rum, which his mother snatched from him, “that were we anywhere but home, we would be more discreet, wouldn’t we, love?” The sparkle in his eyes was complimented by Annalise sighing loudly. I liked this Eric, I realized, comfortable and playful, his anger and discomfort seemingly melted away.
“I’m sorry for disrespecting your rules,” Annalise said. “It won’t happen again.”
“That I don’t believe,” Simon snorted and I giggled. Aimee laughed too. These people were going to be my family, my heart felt full.