Rebellion

by Rachel White

  He hid his face against Rallis's neck again. "Are you really going to make me keep going?"

  Rallis drew his nails down the length of Lieutenant Taarq's cock, digging them in just enough to cause—not pain, but sensation. "Yes."

  "Ah, Exalted—"

  "Keep going." He moved his hand lower, cupping Lieutenant Taarq's balls and rolling them in his palm until Lieutenant Taarq made a choked, ragged noise in the back of his throat. The room smelled of desire and sweat. Rallis's fingers were sticky with seed and the place between their bodies was slick and hot and slippery. When they moved their hands in unison to stroke one another, their knuckles brushed together.

  Lieutenant Taarq was trembling so much he fumbled his hold on Rallis's cock. "We would—we would go to bed. I never went into specifics. If I did, the fantasy fell apart. What if we got caught?"

  There was the misguided sense of duty Rallis had expected. "Don't worry about that. We went to bed and…?"

  "I told you, I never…I never went into specifics. It wasn't about the mechanics. It was just…you get so passionate playing khas. I wanted to experience that passion for myself."

  Oh, Nur. Rallis's throat closed like a vice; to his horror, he found that he was on the edge of tears. Lieutenant Taarq began to say something else, but Rallis stopped him with a kiss. Their hands sped up as their mouths joined, and it was only a moment more before Rallis felt himself falling into release.

  He came, Lieutenant Taarq following a moment later. Afterward, he pressed his damp forehead against Rallis's, their breaths mingling as they panted in the wash of sensation.

  "Did this meet your fantasies?" Rallis asked.

  Lieutenant Taarq gave a shaky laugh. "It far surpassed them. Rallis…"

  "Hmm?"

  "I won't let you die." Lieutenant Taarq kissed his shoulder. "If not for you, then for myself. Even if you're angry at me. Even if you hate me for it. No matter what, I'll protect you."

  The hole in Rallis's stomach opened back up. It wanted to draw in this fleeting contentment, as it had drawn in his sense of safety and peace, but he forced himself to ignore it. Only Nur knew what would happen in the upcoming days. Here, now, Rallis wanted to enjoy the pleasure that he had managed to claw out for himself: the heat of Lieutenant Taarq's body draped over his, and the lingering smell of their coupling on the air, even the uncomfortable stickiness of the seed now drying on his skin. He would enjoy it. No one could take that from him.

  He brushed his fingers gently over the knobs of Lieutenant Taarq's spine, memorizing the warmth and softness of his skin. "We don't need to talk about this now."

  "I know. I just…I need you to understand it."

  Rallis kissed the side of his head. "I understand," he said, and found that the words sounded real. Lieutenant Taarq sighed, opening his mouth as though to speak and then closing it again. Instead, he settled himself more completely against Rallis and closed his eyes.

  "Are you going to sleep?" Rallis asked him.

  "Do you mind? I can go back—"

  "Of course I don't mind." He let his head fall back, closing his eyes as well. A square of light shown in from the other room, the dim yellow-gold of firelight instead of the white glare of Jevite lamps. It turned the inside of Rallis's eyelids reddish and was strangely soothing in its familiarity. If he made himself pretend, he could almost imagine that he was back in Adesa, in Lieutenant Taarq's flat. Tomorrow he would attend his duties at the motherhouse and play khas with Lieutenant Taarq in the evening. There would be no trial, no threat of death.

  He fell asleep with a mind torn in two directions: half his thoughts were in the room he shared with Lieutenant Taarq, recalling the warmth of what they had just done and the potential of future pleasure…

  And the other half were with Naravi, cold and hateful and alone somewhere else in the palace. Nur, please let him survive. Rallis would give anything to ensure he survived.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Then suddenly, as though he had blinked, the two days had passed and the Suulsen was preparing to vote.

  "It's not a guaranteed loss," Suul Oymis told him. They were at another meeting, him and Lieutenant Taarq and Suul Oymis and some others, discussing the upcoming vote. The mood was pessimistic. Although Suul Thrun's beliefs were considered conservative, even outdated, he was a charismatic and clever speaker and knew how to sway an audience. Many Suul seemed to be won over to his side through sheer eloquence.

  Suul Oymis took a drink and continued, with forced cheer, "Some will vote for you simply because they dislike him. And others will vote for you because they dislike Kes Dayne. He's Thrun's most loyal follower." He made a face. "You can imagine what that means for his personality."

  But Rallis didn't need to imagine. He could recall Suul Dayne: his pallid smile, his burning hands, the lilting way he talked of Rallis's death. "If you say so."

  He received a round of sympathetic looks, which burned against his skin like pulses. Even Lieutenant Falaq had become uncharacteristically serious in the last few days. It was a nice thought to imagine he was sincerely concerned for Rallis's wellbeing, but most likely he had a bet riding on the outcome and was growing worried about paying up. Renn Corranis too. Even Suul Oymis was probably more focused on his own personal antipathy for Suul Dayne and Suul Thrun than he was Rallis or Naravi's lives. Only Lieutenant Taarq cared about him.

  "Tomorrow evening," said Lieutenant Falaq, smacking Rallis companionably on the shoulder, "we'll drink to your health and the downfall of Thrun. Your cousin will be here too, of course." That was another complication; he was desperate to see Naravi. They all were. Rallis, still walking the cliff's edge, avoided prying too deeply into that subject, knowing and dreading what he would find if he did.

  When he forced a wan smile, they all looked relieved. "Tomorrow," he murmured, and only Lieutenant Taarq frowned. He always did lately. It was looking more and more likely that Rallis would die without ever seeing him smile again.

  *~*~*

  The vote was to be held in the Suul Moot, a large amphitheater on the north side of the palace. It was constructed in two parts: on the ground, concentric rings of seats enclosed a circular central stage, creating a gallery wherein the two hundred elected Suul met and debated and voted in regular monthly meetings and in special session; above, more rows of seats overlooked the stage so the lay audience could watch the proceedings. Rallis, who had attended a few House meetings with Miana after Hesse's death, couldn't imagine why anyone would volunteer to sit in on a Suulsen vote, but apparently, they were a popular spectator sport. The benches above them were already filling up, though it was still some time before the voting began.

  He sat with Lieutenant Taarq and Legionnaire Saura in the witness box, half-disguised by Jevite clothes that did little to hide his coloring and the unusual shape of his features. It felt as though all eyes were on him, though whenever he looked around, everyone seemed entranced by the Suul. "Do they know what's being voted on?" he asked Lieutenant Taarq under his breath.

  "They know that the Suulsen is voting on the fate of the Adesi rebels," Lieutenant Taarq murmured.

  "Do they know who I am?"

  "They shouldn't."

  But if the party had been any indication, at least some of them did. And of course, he was conspicuously in the witness box. Nur's heart, what if he drew their attention? What if the crowd above turned on him, started booing or throwing things? The last thing he needed was to be part of a scene in the middle of the moot. A spectacle like that would give Suul Thrun all the ammunition he needed.

  At least there was no sign of Naravi to make things worse. He was supposed to attend, but they had agreed to keep him in his room until the last possible moment to lessen the chance that he would end up causing trouble.

  Rallis sank down in his seat, wishing he had done the same. At the time, arriving early to beat the crowd had seemed the obvious choice; it would cut out the danger of a conspicuous entrance. He hadn't considered how agonizing it was
to sit and wait. The vote was supposed to take place at the fourteenth hour. A glance at Lieutenant Taarq's pocket watch showed that it was quarter till.

  Lieutenant Taarq glanced at him. After a moment, he said, "Hon rhagen."

  "What?"

  "It's a game I played with my roommate in academy to pass the time," Lieutenant Taarq explained. "Khas without the board. You have to remember where all the pieces are. It's also a good way to distract yourself."

  "I can't do that."

  "It's not so hard. Just imagine the board. You're better at khas than me, anyway. This should come easy to you."

  Anything was better than watching the black-clothed figures of the Suul scurrying to find their seats. Rallis closed his eyes and pictured a khas board with a piece at hon rhagen. "Karus ved."

  "Hon kerr."

  "Karus kerr."

  A pause. When he opened an eye, Lieutenant Taarq's brow was furrowed and he was biting his lip in thought. Rallis had the sudden urge to lean forward and brush a kiss over his mouth.

  "Haren pior."

  "Karus kerr ganna."

  Legionnaire Saura yawned. "I don't know how you can keep all those pieces straight like this. I can't keep them straight when they're in front of me."

  "Don't interrupt." But despite Lieutenant Taarq's chiding words, his tone held no seriousness. She grinned at him, settling down with her legs stretched before her, her eyes half-closed, like a dozing cat. Down below, they had begun taking roll among the Suulsen. Lieutenant Harn would probably arrive with Naravi soon.

  Lieutenant Taarq returned his attention to Rallis. "Haren…haren lumet."

  The board spread out in Rallis's mind, each unnae slowly taking shape. "Karus lumet."

  "Feeling vicious?" Lieutenant Taarq gave Rallis a languid once-over. "You're picking this up much faster than I had hoped."

  "You know it doesn't count if you manage to beat me like this, don't you? It only counts if we're playing with an actual board."

  "I don't know about that. I—"

  He broke off, eyes going toward the floor below. Rallis followed his gaze and saw that a large group of Suul were clustered around the central stage, speaking to a moot clerk.

  Lieutenant Taarq frowned. "I wonder what's going on?"

  The clerk climbed the stage to address the audience. "The vote is being postponed," he announced, loud enough to reach the rings of seats above them. "It will be delayed indefinitely. We will provide more information shortly."

  A murmur broke out over the crowd. "What does that mean?" Rallis asked.

  "I'm not sure." Lieutenant Taarq summoned a nearby attendant with a brief gesture. "What's going on?"

  The attendant ducked his head respectfully. "The vote is being postponed, lieutenant. There's been an issue with the roll call. That's all I know."

  Rallis seized Lieutenant Taarq's arm as he left. "Why aren't they voting?"

  "Something went wrong with the roll call." Though Lieutenant Taarq's voice was carefully level, Rallis could feel the concern emanating from him. "They need all two hundred Suul in attendance before they can vote. I expect someone is late."

  Dread welled in Rallis's stomach. "Something is wrong."

  "It's all right," said Lieutenant Taarq, noticing his anxiety. "This happens. It's hard to get two hundred men in a room together. They'll get started soon."

  Rallis shook his head. "No. Something is wrong." He could see the Suul talking among themselves, clustered in little groups. All their expressions were the same: concern, frustration, impatience.

  "What makes you think that?" Lieutenant Taarq asked. At least he sounded as though he meant the question genuinely.

  "It's too coincidental. Right before this vote, someone goes missing?"

  "No one is missing yet—"

  "Who isn't here?"

  Lieutenant Taarq signaled Legionnaire Saura. "See who's missing from the Suulsen."

  Legionnaire Saura hopped to her feet, saluted, and vanished, reappearing after only a minute or two. "Sir. Suul Kes Dayne isn't in attendance and can't be found in his quarters."

  Ah, Nur, Rallis knew it. There was no way it was coincidence. But why would Suul Dayne try to postpone the vote? Were he and Suul Thrun that concerned about which way the wind would blow? Did they think that, with a little extra time, they could win more Suul over to their side?

  Lieutenant Taarq rubbed his face. "Something is wrong," he murmured. "You're right. I don't like this."

  "Should we…should we do something?"

  Lieutenant Taarq rose. "I'm going to speak to the Empress. She won't be happy to hear that Suul Thrun and Suul Dayne have colluded to delay the vote. Particularly since they were the ones who pushed for it so strongly," he added, with grim good humor.

  Rallis expected someone to stop them when they left the moot, but no one gave them a second glance. Distracted, no doubt, by the brewing storm. In the palace proper, they went quickly toward the Empress's private office, encountering anxious-looking palace servants around every corner. Snippets of conversation drifted across Rallis's ears as they passed. No one knew where Suul Dayne was—including, it seemed, Suul Thrun, who had stormed out of the Suul Moot in a thunderous rage. Perhaps he hadn't wanted to delay the vote after all.

  They were shown into the empress's office almost immediately, a privilege Rallis was in no position to appreciate. Empress Laiaraina was sitting at her desk with some of her council, clearly in the middle of a discussion. They turned as one when Rallis and Lieutenant Taarq were announced, more curious than unwelcoming.

  "Lieutenant Taarq," said Empress Laiaraina. "What brings you here?"

  "Your Excellency, I apologize for the interruption. Suul Kes Dayne is missing from the Suulsen. The vote is delayed."

  "Yes, I was informed of that. Do you have a particular concern about his absence?"

  "Ah." Lieutenant Taarq hesitated. "Yes, your Excellency. It seems unusual that he would go missing so close to such a major vote. I'm concerned that he and Suul Thrun and their allies are attempting to postpone the vote—"

  "For what purpose?"

  "To gather more support, your Excellency."

  Empress Laiaraina tapped her finger on the arm of her chair. One of her cabinet members, Councilor Rhos, raised an eyebrow. He was a large, older man, ferociously defensive of the empress, and reminded Rallis of a tamed bear. Though he seemed to support Adesa in an intellectual sense, it was clear that he held a great deal of distrust for Rallis personally.

  "Do they need support?" he asked. "I was under the impression they were doing quite well among the Suul."

  "Indeed." This was Empress Laiaraina again, her level gaze locked on Lieutenant Taarq. "Suul Dayne's absence will buy them only a few hours of delay. I don't believe that's enough time to change anyone's opinion when they're already prepared to vote. Do you?"

  "No, your Excellency, but—"

  "Furthermore," the empress continued, brow furrowed, "I don't need to remind you that Suul Thrun wanted the vote as early as possible. Why would he go back on his original desire and try to postpone it now? I don't see what purpose he would have."

  Lieutenant Taarq was practically jumping out of his skin. "Yes, your Excellency, I realize that, but—"

  "Unless you can provide an explanation for their motivations, I see no need to assume any kind of underhanded scheme. Likely as not, Suul Dayne will reappear shortly."

  "Ah—yes, your Excellency." I'm not political. When faced with an opponent on the battlefield, or an angry, frightened civilian, Lieutenant Taarq was in his element, for he was rational and levelheaded and kind. He sought to help people and could keep his temper to do so. But when faced with the manipulations of an enemy like Suul Thrun, he stumbled.

  "Is there anything else?"

  Lieutenant Taarq bowed. "No, your Excellency. I apologize for disturbing you—"

  His words were interrupted by a knock on the door. It was a legionnaire, young and jittery and gaunt-faced. He was walking so quickly, he ha
lf-tripped when he tried to stop, though he transformed the clumsy motion into a kind of bow.

  "Your Excellency, they've found Suul Dayne."

  Rallis knew immediately what had happened. He could see that they all did. He knew it from the alarm in the legionnaire's voice and his trembling movements and the simple fact that, if Suul Dayne had been found alive and well, there would have been no need for this panicked announcement.

  And sure enough, "His body was left behind the palace kitchens," the legionnaire continued, all in a rush. "The doctor is still performing his inspection. No further information is known at this time."

  Empress Laiaraina seemed to age ten years as the legionnaire spoke. By the end of his message, she was drooping like an elderly woman. "Is that so?"

  "Y-yes, your Excellency."

  So Kes Dayne was dead. Gods, gods, what if Naravi had something to do with it? If he had been going to kill anyone, Rallis would have placed good money on Lieutenant Harn, but Kes Dayne's sleepy duplicitousness would drive Naravi out of his mind. Perhaps he had simply lost his senses. And if he had—

  "And you're certain it's murder?" Empress Laiaraina asked.

  "Yes, your Excellency. Suul Dayne had a severe wound in his chest. It doesn't seem possible that it was an accident."

  "I see. Thank you, legionnaire. Your discretion in this matter is appreciated until the incident is made public."

  The legionnaire bowed deeply. "Yes, your Excellency."

  "You are dismissed." She turned to her cabinet. "Prepare for suppressive measures. There will be panic when this gets out. I want all chaos as contained as possible."

  Councilor Evrys, a thin-faced man with a narrow black beard, leaned forward. "Your Excellency, people will want answers—"

  "I'm aware of that. And we'll provide them answers—in time. For now, we cannot allow things to get out of hand. Until we identify the culprit, I don't want rumors spreading about who might have done it. If that means we need to keep things quiet, so be it."