“Mu and Rho did it. Nu, Iota, and Kappa were blocking our view, but we heard a yelp and rushed to stop them.” When Eta said “we” he was talking about himself and the other Offerings. They were all nodding vigorously.
“War Trophies, do you deny the Offerings’ version?”
The five men shrugged.
“So be it. Guards tie these men’s hands and follow me.” Adder turned to the Offerings. “You wait here.” He called at the Overseer, who had been quietly observing from a corner. “Selleck, come with us.”
They moved in silent procession through the palace. People stopped what they were doing to stare, agape. Many followed them to see what was going to happen. Adder guided them to one of the platforms where gryphons and riders were already coming and going.
“Put them on the edge,” Adder ordered to the guards. Each War Trophy had two guards flanking him. Adder spoke aloud for all assembled to hear him. “Let it be known that these men committed treason by attempting to murder one of their own. Their lives belong to me, and by trying to end a life that didn’t belong to them, they have injured me in more ways than one. I sentence them to die, and the execution is to be carried out immediately.
“I’m not going to say I am sad because I don’t have patience for those who betray me. But these men harmed someone dear to me and that is unforgivable.” Adder nodded more to himself than to those around him. “Now you pay. Guards, daggers out. One stab on each flank below the ribs.” Adder heard people gasping in the background. He didn’t care. This was his right, as king and as lover. The five War Trophies bled, their tunics already soaking with their filthy blood. “Throw them down.”
Their screams were swallowed by the abyss.
“You,” Adder pointed at a mounted rider, “check if they’re dead.”
The gryphon and his rider swiftly dove. A few minutes later the soldier alighted beside Adder. “Two are dead. The other three still breathe.”
Adder leaned over the edge and looked down. The tide was getting high. “Good. Let them suffer.”
****
Chapter Seven
Temptation
“Hello.”
Bracken wasn’t sure why he was looking at Renan’s sneaky face looming over him. He was positive ground beef felt more wholesome before being put to fire. He stared at Renan blankly; he didn’t like the man. Perhaps if he didn’t answer the weasel would go away.
“Do you think he recognizes me?” Renan asked a tall, wiry man who was certainly old but had been handsome at some point in his life.
“He’s out of danger, but he’s going to be very weak for many days.”
For some reason this old man’s voice seemed familiar to Bracken. Did he know this man? It would be a catastrophe if he had lost his memory but still remembered Renan of all people. But the words were truthful; Bracken’s feeble state didn’t let him move a single finger. He thought he had chosen not to speak to Renan, but maybe he couldn’t. Still he’d wait until somebody else (someone he recognized) came along to try and say something.
Bracken moved his eyes around. This was Adder’s bedchamber. Why was he in Adder’s quarters with these men but without him? The last thing he remembered was eating breakfast, then Rho and Mu came from behind saying something stupid. The memory of pain struck him, hard and blinding. He moaned and closed his eyes, but his body didn’t bow under the assault; he was that fragile, motionless.
The bang of a door violently opened made Bracken open his eyes. Finally, a familiar face. Adder. He pushed the two men aside and caressed Bracken’s cheek. “How are you?”
“I feel weird. I can’t move,” his mind said, but neither his lips nor anything else moved. Bracken furrowed his brow; he scowled. No. Nothing even twitched.
Adder straightened himself. “Renan, please leave me alone with Timir for a moment.”
“But…”
A hand landed on Renan’s shoulder. “Just for a moment,” Adder said quietly.
Renan nodded and left the room muttering under his breath, almost in the same way he had while on Adder’s ship the first time Bracken saw him.
“You didn’t tell him what we did.”
“Of course not, my King. No one but those of the King’s blood need to know about The Rite.”
The Rite? What the fuck is The Rite?
“Good. Now tell me what’s wrong with him?”
Timir glanced at Bracken with a fatherly expression that he didn’t like a bit. “You gave him life. He’s practically a newborn in the body of an adult.”
“Are you telling me Bracken is lost and there is a baby in there?” Adder hissed, grabbing the old man by the arms and shaking him.
“That’s not what I meant. He just needs to relearn to use his body, regain command of it. He should be mentally sound.”
This seemed to appease Adder. He released Timir. “How long will it take for him to be back to normal?”
“The more physical a person is the quicker he bounces back.” Timir moved out of Bracken’s line of sight, then came back with a goblet, offering it to Adder. “Drink half of this, sire. You can try to give the other half to King Bracken.”
Adder nodded and drank. He turned and sat on the bed, putting his hand behind Bracken to pull him upward. What Bracken found in Adder’s eyes as they met made him weaker for a completely different reason. “Come now, just a few sips. This is going to help you.”
Nothing responded. Bracken wanted to scream in frustration. He tried to tell Adder with his eyes how powerless he was. Adder understood.
“Timir, a little help here?”
The old man opened Bracken’s mouth using thumb and forefinger to force it. Bracken was sure he looked like a fucking fish. The liquid hit his tongue. Fire wasn’t enough to describe the sensation. As he involuntarily swallowed, the scorching kicks and pokes unknotted the weakness holding him hostage.
“That’s a good boy.” Adder put him carefully back on the bed. He kissed Bracken on the forehead. He stayed there, his lips pressed to Bracken’s skin for more heartbeats than necessary.
“I think I’ll go now. I’m going to make more of this to give him another dose tomorrow,” Timir offered with that odd tone of someone who caught another doing something they shouldn’t be doing. He moved away.
As soon as the door clicked closed, Adder brushed his lips over Bracken’s. He murmured, “I killed those who hurt you, my Nightjar. All of them.” His voice trembled.
“Adder,” Bracken thought, but Adder’s jerk told him he had actually said it albeit feebly.
Smooches rained over his face. His and Adder’s chuckles mingled. “That old sucker’s potion is already working!” Adder exclaimed breathlessly.
Bracken murmured, “Sucker.”
“Oh, I’ll suck you until my jaw falls apart as soon as you are capable of pulling my hair!” Adder laughed loudly and heartily this time. He sobered up and stared at Bracken for a long moment. Then he rested his head over Bracken’s heart, whispering, “It was all worth it.”
Bracken had the suspicion that Adder was talking about “The Rite,” whatever that was. He couldn’t summon the energy to ask about it though. He was sleepy. Someone told him once that sleeping was a big part of healing. He wanted to heal quickly, at least enough to pull Adder’s hair.
That’s a nice goal.
His lips were capable of a smile as the room started to fade.
Bracken closed his eyes.
****
Days passed. Bracken was sure of this because he saw light, then the nightjars called. Also a plump chatterbox of a woman called Zenith came and flexed his limbs. Every joint of his body was bent and straightened many times, thrice during daylight and twice while the nightjars called. Bracken thought that if he didn’t say anything she would shut up, because normal people didn’t have conversations with themselves for so long. It didn’t work. Still, her continuous work was helping him to wrestle back his mobility. Soon, Bracken was able to go and relieve himself on his own.
The Offerings stopped by, mostly just to check on him, but Eta, Phi, and Xi stayed longer, sometimes reading for him, others singing or telling him jokes. They were good kids. Selleck came too; he brought Bracken sweets and finger food— things Bracken wasn’t supposed to be eating because he was on a strict liquid diet thanks to Timir, something Bracken thought incredibly stupid. He was sure nobody could get stronger with just liquids. Even if those liquids were magic potions.
Renan popped in now and then to say “Hello,” but Bracken closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep. Nobody questioned this because he slept a lot. He didn’t like Renan no matter how much Adder loved him. Bracken’s gut told him Renan wasn’t trustworthy. Nine out of ten times, Bracken’s gut was right, so he was going to listen to it until Renan did something capable of changing Bracken’s mind.
Adder was the true constant presence during Bracken’s recuperation. He told Bracken stories of his childhood. They shared how much they missed their older brothers. Adder spoke as well of his plans for Deron, how he wanted the people of Munus healthy and prosperous, and many other things grand and little. These moments made it difficult to keep his distance, to be bound to his station by his honor and nothing else.
Each instant they spent together was accompanied by a passing touch, a caress, a timid kiss on the lips. It both moved and frustrated Bracken in equal manner. He wasn’t a fragile thing to be treated like a delicate vase or worse— a flower.
The other thing that was getting on Bracken’s nerves (in more ways than he cared to analyze) was Adder sleeping on a chair next to the bed. Bracken could understand the first few days. He wasn’t truly keeping track of time but he calculated it had been around two weeks. Before long, Adder’s body would resent the awkward position. Bracken was already resenting it for him.
Bracken decided he was going to say something.
After Zenith’s second massacre of his body for the evening, Bracken waited until Adder finished taking care of the nightjars.
As Adder settled on the uncomfortable chair, Bracken asked, “Why don’t you come to your bed?”
“Because you are not well enough yet for my touch the way I want. I will not be able to keep my hands to myself if I’m there with you.”
“I’m a warrior, remember? Perhaps what I need to heal quicker is some rough handling…”
“Don’t tempt me, you fool. I’m not going to destroy all Timir’s and Zenith’s work thanks to my lack of self-control where you are concerned.”
“Coward.”
“You’ll pay for that.”
“I will welcome the punishment gladly.”
Adder arched an eyebrow.
Bracken crooked his index finger at Adder playfully. “For the time being, you can come closer. So I can pull your hair.”
****
Chapter Eight
Trust
Adder noticed he and Adroit had the same happy spring as a groom brought her. He chuckled. Timir and the healers had concluded that his Nightjar was fit to leave the bed and start moving around in a more regular fashion. The morning was sunny and almost cloudless, just like the eyes of the man he had left on his bed.
Bubbly would be an understatement to describe Adder’s mood. The thought of sending Renan to handle the daily dealings of the Royal Court and take the day off was a tempting, pleasant one. Still, Adder decided to go to the city palace for a couple of hours and come back after the midday meal to give Nightjar some time alone to do whatever he wanted.
After a lot of internal negotiation, Adder had made two decisions. First, he was going to disband the Kept; there was no rule saying he must have one— Lakoneh didn’t even have one. Second, he was going to find a way to talk to Nightjar about the stolen ships and the macabre spectacle on them when they were returned to Vurgeg. There must be an explanation, and he wanted to clear that out before the next part of his second decision could come to fruition. As Adder was getting ready to climb Adroit, he saw a groom bringing Renan’s gryphon, Soulfire. They could make the flight to the city palace together. It wasn’t easy to have a conversation while flying, and they would be surrounded by their escorts, but they could start one as soon as they dismounted. Adder was really excited to share his plans with his best friend and counselor.
“Morning, my King. That goofy grin is very becoming.” Renan chuckled.
“You don’t know the half of it.” Adder smiled broadly.
“Something tells me Bracken has a lot to do with it.”
Adder nodded, gesturing Renan to mount Soulfire quickly. They did it simultaneously.
“You look like you need a race,” Renan offered with a smirk when both were seated.
“Splendid idea. After that, we’ll have a nice chat before the hearings of the day.”
“Winner gets to choose lunch. Up!” Renan challenged, whipping the reins of Soulfire. The tawny gryphon launched himself upward.
“Hey!” Adder laughed and yelled, “Up!” Now he had to win because when Renan did he always picked something nasty that Adder would not enjoy, just to be an asshole.
The roads, the farms, the people, the animals, the plains, the valleys, all were a blur as the gryphons raced toward Varvarar, the capital city of Munus. They did the hour ride in less than thirty minutes, their escorts following closely as if they were racing too.
Within the fortified city, Soulfire and Adroit glided over tall, whitewashed buildings, their red dome-shaped roofs shining like rubies thanks to the morning light. Only the temples of Erin and Apheilon and the palace had triangular roofs to distinguish them from other constructions inside the city walls. But all roofs were red— red like the strong blood of Adder’s people.
Adroit nose-dove and reached the landing courtyard of the palace two seconds before Soulfire alighted roughly beside her. “I won!” Adder laughed and dismounted with an agile jump, pumping his fist in the air. He turned to grab Adroit’s head and gave her a resounding kiss. “That’s my girl.”
Renan dismounted more gracefully and bowed. “A worthy victory, sire.”
Adder punched him on the shoulder. “You only call me ‘sire’ when you are pissed off. It was just a silly race. You know I had to win to avoid some disgusting dish made of entrails or only-Apheilon-knows-what.”
“Of course.”
“Oh, don’t be a sourpuss.” Adder embraced his best friend with one arm and guided him toward the main building of the palace complex. “I decided to disband the Kept.”
“What?” Renan faltered, jostling Adder. “Why would you do that?”
“Not a big deal.” Adder pushed Renan since they were shoulder to shoulder. “It’s an outdated institution. It’s not like I have any use for them after all.” He nodded to some court members walking in the opposite direction. “And after what happened to Bracken…”
Renan stopped them and dislodged himself from Adder’s embrace. “So this is about him.” He stared at Adder.
“Nah. It’s not about him. I was considering it before he arrived. The attempt on his life just reinforced my decision.” He winked. “I have no use for a harem, Renan.”
“The Kept is not only a harem, Adder. It’s a symbol of power.”
Adder rolled his eyes. “To whom? We are the most powerful kingdom of the Ten Kingdoms. No one on land or sea has our resources or military force.” He shrugged. “Lakoneh doesn’t have Kept.”
“And it all circles back to the Lakon anyway.” Renan shook his head. “You know they don’t have it because they don’t leave people alive to make them prisoners.”
“I know that.” Adder nodded. He refused to let Renan deflate his happy mood. “Ah, we’ll find another way to scare the fuck out of the other kingdoms without that old-fashioned practice.” He winked.
Renan crossed his arms. “All right, let’s accept for a moment that you disband the Kept. Right now you don’t have War Trophies, except Bracken, so you don’t need to make them captains of garrisons or whatever. You still have seven Offerings. What a
bout them?”
“Trifle.” Adder dismissed the situation with a wave of his hand. “We can make them ambassadors or something else like before. Selleck knows them better than anyone, so he can see to that.”
“What about the Lakon?”
Adder grinned. “I want to make him my consort.”
“Your what?!”
“You know, the man you marry and who rules with you.”
Shaking his head, Renan pinched the bridge of his nose with thumb and forefinger. “I’ve known you since we were toddlers. You have never been a man to think with your cock. What is this nonsense?” He put his hand on Adder’s arm. “You can have any man in the world,” he squeezed and cocked his head, “and you’re going to choose that monster.” Renan’s eyes had a strange, almost watery glint to them.
“I need to find out what happened with the ships,” Adder patted his friend’s cheek, “but I am sure he’s not a monster, Renan. There must be an explanation.”
Renan moved his hand from Adder’s arm to his neck; his thumb caressed the corner of Adder’s jaw. “I’m going to trust my King because my friend is stupidly in love.” He smirked. “I’ll support my crazy friend though. If he wants to marry a vulture rider so be it.”
There was a sad echo of resignation in Renan’s chuckle.
Just the fact that he was so easily siding with Adder was in and of itself a quasi-miracle.
Adder didn’t know what to make of it.
****
Chapter Nine
Trickery
“I’m going to miss these pink walls.” Eta sighed. He and Bracken sat together, finishing the last meal that would ever be served in the Kept Hall.
“I never understood that color. Or the red columns,” Bracken commented, looking at the now almost empty large space.
“Have you ever witnessed a naval massacre? The water ends up pink. That’s the meaning of it— to remind us of the power of Munus.”
“And here I thought it was the color of our assholes after a powerful battering,” Bracken offered with a straight face.
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