by Kirby Crow
Scarlet was intrigued, though Margun had begun clenching his hand around the hilt of his sword, agitated by this talk of knives. “So why didn't you?”
Qixa smiled. “You still don't know? Little lord, we had waited far too long for the ap kyning to return home just to gut him like a trout and toss him overboard. He hid it well, but I knew from the first moment I saw you together that if I wanted to kill you, I'd have to kill King Nazheradei as well. He would have murdered us all to save you, or tried to, and only his death would have stopped him from taking revenge. You were costly cargo from the start, ser, and I nearly lost my command over it. There were those who said that a captain who feared to kill a little lenilyn was no captain at all.” His eyes gleamed. “I fed them to the waves instead.”
“Sorry I was such a bother,” Scarlet answered wryly, aware that Shikhoza listened to every word.
Qixa chuckled. “No bother. A mariner crew needs a good weeding every so often.”
Weeding, he calls it, Scarlet thought dazedly. He had been worried when Liall had Oleksei whipped along with the others, but he had never noticed that Qixa was thinning the crew on his account. “I thank you, ser, for what you did for me, and for Liall.”
“It was my duty.” Qixa grinned. “Liall, eh? You still call him by his bandit name?”
“He will always be Liall to me. You and your people have your blood prince back, but I knew him as a wolf.” Scarlet hesitated. “The day after tomorrow, at the docks?”
“The third hour. I mean you no harm. You have my word.”
“Give me this warning now,” Scarlet urged him. “I swear to tell the king.”
Qixa shook his head. “If I had it now, I would. Overmorrow. Will you come?”
Qixa’s manner was blunt, but it felt honest. It made Scarlet sad, and he wondered at the feeling for a moment before he recognized it: In that instant, Qixa reminded him of Scaja.
He nodded. “I’ll be there.”
“I like this not, ser,” Margun warned.
“Neither do I,” Scarlet said, watching Qixa. “But I think I must do as he asks.”
Qixa met his gaze and nodded. He seemed relieved. “Tomorrow.”
Qixa turned and left, ducking quickly out of sight, swallowed up by the vastness of the hall and the people in it.
Scarlet exhaled his tension and turned to Shikhoza. “I didn’t know you were friends with the captain.”
“Friends? Hardly.” She covered her red mouth delicately, as if dealing with an offensive odor. “He’s a common rogue. But rogues can be useful, and the man has been of some service to me in the past.”
Scarlet remembered her words: There is only waiting and biding your time until your enemy makes a mistake.
“Are you waiting for me to make a mistake now, Shikhoza?” he asked. “Are you trying to bait me into doing something Liall won't forgive me for?” He didn’t think Qixa would be up for helping her with that. The captain had proven his loyalty to Liall, but when it came down to it, Scarlet had to admit he knew precious little about Qixa.
Shikhoza tittered like a girl. “Oh no, little one. No. Not you, of course not. You’re not worthy to be my enemy, and how could you ever offend the king? You're his darling pet and everyone knows it. You can do no wrong in his eyes. He believes you perfect and no efforts of mine will ever convince him otherwise. That's why I'm not going to try.” There was a look of triumph in her eyes. “Nazheradei, however, has many flaws.”
Scarlet felt cold. “How do you mean?”
“I've known Nazheradei since he was a little boy. He's arrogant and stubborn, with a temper like a baited bear. He always knew that his brother would be king and that his place would be at the side of the throne, not astride it.” Her gray eyes were haughty. “A second son is still a prince, but some princes never learn that a king puts the good of his people before his own needs.”
What's she saying? It can't have anything to do with me. “Liall is a good man, a good king. He wants what's best for his country.”
“Are you certain?” She tucked a stray lock of her bright hair back into the jeweled net. “Do you know where you’re bound on this journey, ser Keriss?”
“North. The Blackmoat.”
She began to smile again. “Of course you are.” She lowered her eyes, gathered her skirts in one hand and sketched the barest curtsey. “If you speak the truth of this meeting to the king, he will forbid your meeting with Qixa.”
“I know that, fool woman,” he growled. “Now be off with you!” He didn’t care if his voice carried.
Another curtsey and she was gone, her skirts trailing behind her elegantly. She even managed to make retreat look graceful.
Scarlet turned to Margun, hands on his hips. “Deva’s bleeding, buggering hell,” he swore.
HE SAW LIALL BRIEFLY at dinner, but they could not talk due to the presence of Alexyin and a handful of Sul nobles whose names Scarlet struggled to remember. When the plates were taken away, Liall rose, kissed Scarlet on the forehead, and promised to return early. He left with the nobles.
Scarlet waited in their tower apartments alone, watching the candles burn down, believing that Liall would join him for sleep. The hours ticked by and he grew annoyed. Liall had a dozen messengers at his beck and call. Could he not send one with word that he would be late?
When the bells chimed the dawn hours—and thank Deva for that, otherwise he had as little sense of time as he did when there was no light at all—Scarlet stripped and fell into the huge bed, pulling the covers close around him and pretending their warmth was Liall.
He woke some time later at a soft touch, rolled over and knuckled the sleep from his eyes. “Oh, hello,” he murmured.
“Hello.”
Scarlet stretched and glanced about, noting that Liall was naked under the covers with him. He lifted the covers and a bit and grinned. “And hello again. He’s not cold a whit, is he?”
Liall ignored the jibe and slid his fingers under Scarlet’s chin. “I heard you had a busy morning yesterday.”
Scarlet rolled his eyes. “Gods below, if that’s what a Kasiri considers bed-talk, I’m going back to sleep.”
“Like hell you are,” Liall growled playfully. He drew Scarlet into his arms for a gentle kiss that quickly turned heated. His hands slid down Scarlet’s body as if exploring him all over again for the first time.
That’s the wonder of it, right there, Scarlet thought. Every time with him is like the first.
Liall nuzzled his face into Scarlet’s neck, scratching his unshaven chin against Scarlet’s bare skin. Scarlet bit back a moan.
“No, let me hear you,” Liall urged, nipping the skin of Scarlet’s collarbone.
This time, he could not keep quiet, and Liall growled approvingly and pressed Scarlet’s shoulders until his back was firmly against the mattress.
“Someone is keeping secrets,” Liall murmured darkly.
“Not at all,” Scarlet replied, gasping when Liall’s fingers brushed his nipple. His heart fluttered with sudden anxiety. What did Liall know? Why didn’t he just ask?
“You’re so sensitive here,” Liall whispered. He stroked Scarlet’s chest, circling a nipple slowly. “Like a virgin maid. It makes me feel very protective of you.”
“Virgin maid, my arse,” Scarlet scoffed.
Liall lowered his head and placed his mouth on him.
Scarlet’s body arched up. “Oh gods...”
Liall gripped Scarlet’s hip with one hand and pulled him closer. He rubbed his thickening desire against Scarlet’s thigh. “So, my pillow-talk is wanting, is it?”
“It’s terrible,” Scarlet breathed as Liall’s hand wrapped around his member. He moaned, pushing up into Liall’s grip, and Liall took his hand away. “Deva’s sake, touch me, please!”
Liall’s lips curved in a grin against his cheek. “I am touching you.”
Scarlet shivered as Liall’s tongue traced a line up his neck to his ear. “You’re driving me crazy.”
“Then we are even. I’ve been going insane since I met a mouthy little pedlar on the mountain—ow!” Liall jumped. Scarlet had pinched his leg. “Mind my tender parts, brat.”
“Brat, is it?” Scarlet struggled a bit to get out of Liall’s arms.
“Very much so,” Liall agreed. He dragged Scarlet into a hard embrace and smothered his protests under a kiss, his tongue fluttering against Scarlet’s, the length of his long body pressed fully against Scarlet’s own.
“Shikhoza,” Liall said in a voice like smoke. “You met with her.”
A distinct chill cooled the heat of Scarlet’s desire. He nodded. “Yes.” Surely Liall must feel his heart trying to beat out of his chest?
“And yet you said nothing at dinner.”
“The nobles—”
Liall silenced him again with a kiss. When he pulled back, Scarlet fancied he could see silver sparks deep inside Liall’s pale blue eyes.
“You could have asked to speak with me privately. Shikhoza’s name would have gotten my attention. You’re always looking for the Kasiri in me. Tell me... is he here now?”
“I don’t know,” Scarlet breathed.
Liall gave him a predatory grin, gripped his arm and deftly flipped him to his belly. Scarlet heard the bedside drawer opening, the tick of glass against wood as the scent of sweet oil reached him. A few cold drops trickled onto his skin as Liall used the oil to slick himself before he carelessly dropped the vial to the floor.
Liall mounted him. Scarlet shuddered as Liall's thickness nudged between his cheeks. He raised up, pressing back against Liall, wanting more.
The palm of Liall's hand came down between Scarlet’s shoulder blades and he found his nose flat to the sheets. Hot, damp breath whuffed over Scarlet’s cheekbone.
“Is the wolf here?”
“Yes,” Scarlet quavered, trembling. His fingers curled and dug into the covers. “I've missed him.”
Liall's teeth nipped at his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around Scarlet's neck, not hard enough to cut off his wind.
“I know,” Liall growled against his neck as he entered him.
Scarlet gasped, his neck bending back, throat exposed. Liall pushed Scarlet’s legs further apart and thrust deeper, making him cry out.
Liall froze at once.
“Don’t stop,” Scarlet panted. “Don’t you dare.”
After a final moment of hesitation, Liall chuckled richly. “Yes, my Lord Wild.” His hand curled around the nape of Scarlet’s neck, pushing down. He jerked Scarlet’s hips crudely upward.
Scarlet whimpered as Liall thrust deep inside, rough but not brutal. Liall’s caution with his body often annoyed Scarlet; as if he were a porcelain doll too fine and fragile to touch. He soon showed Liall that he would not break, but still Liall was often careful and almost painfully restrained with him. The contrast today was breathtaking.
And wonderful. It’s wonderful and you love it, you love him.
“Don’t stop,” he managed to whimper, deprived of movement or the sight of Liall’s face. He tried to roll his hips to urge Liall on, and Liall’s hand only tightened on his neck, holding him in place as he rutted.
“Please... oh gods...” Scarlet gave small, breathless moans in of pleasure in response to Liall’s raw lust. “More...” he begged, as he tumbled over the edge, his body shuddering from head to toe as he felt Liall join him.
Falling together, he thought, and closed his eyes on a spasm of absolute joy.
“REMIND ME TO LOOK FOR the wolf more often,” Scarlet murmured sleepily in Liall’s arms, after what seemed an endless time later.
Liall’s fingers carded through his hair with luxurious slowness. “I never have to look for you, beloved. You've never changed. You're still the same infuriating, wonderful, irritating, beautiful, honest pedlar you were on the Nerit.”
Not so honest anymore, Scarlet thought. But it was a well-meant deception. He resolved to tell Liall everything as soon as it was done. As soon as he knew that vital information that Qixa was so eager to convey.
Liall seemed to take his silence for something else. He turned Scarlet’s chin to look at him. “Did I hurt you?”
“Not a bit. All right, a little. But if I had to do it over, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Liall’s hand massaged Scarlet’s lower back. “Only a little?”
Scarlet nodded. “Not even that, really. Now it’s like an ache, but sweeter.”
Liall pressed a kiss to his forehead. “A sweet ache. Like you.”
He settled into the crook of Liall’s arm. “Careful. You'll be writing poetry for me next.”
“You’re worthy of poetry. Pity I’m so bad at it.”
“No worries.” He yawned hugely. “It’ll be forever before I can read it. Lots of time to practice.”
“Planning on hanging around, are you?”
“Afraid so. You’re stuck with me.” He yawned again. “You’ll have to beat me away with a stick.”
Liall kissed him once more, then carefully pulled away. He rolled out of bed and began to dress, oddly silent. Then; “Are you going to tell me what Shikhoza wanted?”
Scarlet chose his answer carefully. “To stick pins, of course.” It was not fully a lie.
Liall grumbled as he crossed the room to a table and made use of the basin of water there. He splashed his face, back stolidly turned.
“Deva’s hells, what are you so worried about, wolf? She can’t harm me, not in a fat, great hall with that grim bloody bodyguard standing by, the one you’ve got spying on me.”
Liall sighed. “Margun is not spying on you. He told me nothing, so if he’s anyone’s spy, it’s not mine.” He glanced at Scarlet. “Are you worried?”
“Only about what nasty thing she’s got in her head to shock you with.”
“She'd better shock me soon, for I intend to be away from here. Uzna must be tiresome to her after the Nauhinir. Shikhoza is like a snake in a cage when she’s bored, hissing and striking at anything that comes near.” Liall uttered a gutter epithet in Falx that made the tips of Scarlet’s ears burn.
“You are angry, aren’t you?”
“Sticking pins. As if goading you is her right. She treats you like an upstart servant,” Liall growled.
“I am an upstart servant. Or a merchant, anyroad. No crown or title will change what a man is born to be.”
“Perhaps,” Liall allowed. “But you’re my upstart and I’ll not have you slighted. Not by anyone.”
“I thought you’d be rid of her when she married.”
“All of Rshan is not large enough for me to be completely shut of the bitch. She's baroness of S’geth and Uzna Minor now.”
“So send her to S’geth. It’s further away.”
“It could be on the other side of the world and still not satisfy me.” Liall turned a chair by the bed and fell into it heavily. “She’d try the patience of a saint.”
“That sounds like her, right enough. That woman could be dying of thirst but she'd be arse over teakettle before she'd ask for water.”
Liall smirked. “I don't think I've heard duplicity described in quite that manner before.”
“What did she want with you?”
Liall's expression rebuilt its hard lines. “The truth is, I'm a bit puzzled on that account. She had a purpose in coming here. It wasn't just to remind me that she has power over Eleferi. It doesn't even have to do with Ressilka. She's brewing something in that serpent's head of hers.”
Shikhoza had nearly destroyed Liall's life once. Perhaps she could do it again. “What did she say?”
Liall hesitated. His blue eyes narrowed. “She hinted that I might have a child.”
Scarlet’s jaw dropped. “By her? Deva’s grace, that would solve everything and muck it up at the same time.”
“I assume so, but...” Liall trailed off, “but perhaps not. It seems too unsubtle for her. If she had a royal heir, she would not have kept silent about it for so long in the years when my mother had no sons and the
re was little hope of my return. She would have used that pawn by now.”
Scarlet thought of Cestimir and his fate. “Maybe she was protecting the child from Vladei? Or protecting herself.”
“Perhaps, perhaps,” Liall murmured, deep in thought.
He could see that Liall’s mind was faraway, casting back over possibilities. “We could make a list,” he suggested.
Liall glanced at him distractedly, chewing on his thumbnail. “A list?”
“Of the women you’ve had. You could put the men in there, too. Just to be tidy.”
“Oh. Just to be tidy.” Liall leaned over and swatted Scarlet’s thigh lightly. “I'll do no such thing. I won't have you thinking I was a lecher in my youth.”
“Bit late for that.”
“Hmm. Well, it couldn't be worse in Hilurin eyes than being a thieving Kasiri bandit, at any rate.”
“Now you're catching on.” Scarlet smiled and rolled out of the bed, then sat naked in Liall’s lap. He smoothed Liall's hair back from his forehead, tucking a snowy lock behind his ear. “It worries you that she might be telling the truth?”
“That I might actually have a son by that viper?” Liall stroked his fingers over Scarlet’s back. “I shudder to think of his upbringing. She would have had to hide him far away from court and conceal her connection to him. Shikhoza is devious, but vanity is her weak point. If she had a Camira-Druz child, I don't think she could have kept silent about it for sixty years. Five or ten years, yes, until my disgrace had faded from the minds of the people and they began to wonder who would be their leader after my mother was laid in the Kingsdal.” Liall thought for a moment. “It wouldn't be that difficult for her to hide a child away. Children are easy to overlook when they're small. A new child arriving at, say, a farmer's mill in the north, or a baker's shop in the south, could be passed off as belonging to any peasant's wife and excite no comment. But to keep silent until my mother was old, until the queen was forced to mate with a man she despised to produce a royal heir? Shikhoza would never have let Cestimir supplant a claim on the throne. She would have played her hand years ago. Why try it now, so late in the game?”