by T. M. Smith
***
Hector hopped off his horse, his feet hitting the ground of House Gaeland and leading him swiftly to the steps of the palace where his friend stood. “Hector, I trust you had safe travels?” Tanis smiled widely, meeting him at the middle step and embracing him in a bone-crushing hug.
Hector noted Raven stayed put at the top of the steps, his hands resting on Apollo’s shoulders, the two of them watching Hector and Tanis hesitantly. “Tanis, why do I see uncertainty in your husband’s eyes?”
“He worries there may be anger over me relinquishing my title over the Army of Greece and subsequently accepting the same title here, at House Gaeland with the Gardai.” Tanis turned and looked up, his eyes bright, his smile open and honest when he stared at his betrothed. Hector understood Raven’s misgivings. Hell, he’d heard more than one person say such thoughts out loud in the days and weeks after the meeting at House Orion when Tanis had stepped down, appointing Hector as his replacement. But Hector didn’t share that opinion. Standing here, witnessing the love radiating off the two men with just a shared look—if anything, he was jealous, envious…but far from angry.
Taking the few steps to the top, Hector greeted Raven with a hand on his shoulder and a smile. “Raven, I hope you’ve been well since we last spoke.” Apollo vibrated, his tiny body wanting so badly to move, run, jump—anything but stand still under his papa’s hands. Hector knelt on the step below Pol, pinching the tip of his nose. “And how about you, little man? Are you behaving?”
Pol nodded his head. “Good! I have a treat for you then.” Hector pulled a small brown bag out of his jacket pocket and handed it to the toddler.
Opening the bag and peeking in, Pol grinned, seeing the handful of figs and dates. Those mischievous blue eyes stared up at Raven, not Tanis, before asking permission. “Papa, can I?”
Raven smiled down at the boy he so obviously adored, which made Hector happier than anything else he could have witnessed that day. “Of course you can, Pol, but go wash your hands first, and don’t eat too fast, or you’ll get a tummy ache again.”
The little boy turned and ran inside the palace, shouting…“Granma, Hectie brought me treats!”
Hector stood, laughing. Tanis leaned in and whispered, “He has taken quite a liking to Raven’s mom, Gabry.”
“Hector,” Raven stepped closer, a genuine smile on his face now. “I’m thrilled you were able to make it, truly.” Knocking the outstretched hand away, Hector pulled Raven in for a hug.
Tanis grinned, clapping them both on the back, draping an arm over each man’s shoulders and leading them both inside. “So, first we eat and you’ll meet everyone, and then…” Tanis let the sentence trail off, a wry grin on his face screaming trouble.
“And then what?” Hector shoved Tanis away with his elbow.
Tanis laughed long and loud, grabbing Hector by the neck and pulling him close so he could whisper in his ear. “There’s this guard, Elliot, just your type.”
Hector chuffed. “And what, exactly is my type?”
“Tall, dark and handsome with a banging body and an ass…” Tanis stopped short when his husband turned and glared at him.
“Yes? Do tell, love…an ass that—what?” Raven’s tone was short and clipped, but his eyes gleamed playfully as he questioned his partner.
Hector laughed as he turned, taking in the décor of House Gaeland and doing his best not to watch as his friend got his ass handed to him by his husband. It was Hector’s first visit to House Gaeland, and he longed to soak up the atmosphere, truly wanting to know more about his father Thomas’s home House. Niko, Hector’s papa, was born to House Orion, the second son of the Captain at the time. Much like Rian did before he and Cirian were wed, Niko traveled to all the Houses, meeting Thomas when he visited House Gaeland.
Thomas was born to House Gaeland and had been in a relationship with Marcus before he became the Geneticist within The Order. While Marcus was completing his trials to gain acceptance into The Order, Thomas had met Niko and fallen in love. Thomas had spoken with his son in the weeks leading up to Raven’s first visit to House Orion, telling him the story of his past with Marcus—how it had torn him apart to have to choose but feeling the certainty of his decision to spend his life with Niko.
“I knew the moment I set eyes on your papa, Hector; it’s hard to explain. Every fiber of my being was drawn to Niko. And though I cannot deny I loved Marcus, what I feel for your father is so much more. But, hear me now boy, the man is evil incarnate. In the years since I left Gaeland, I’ve heard many troubling things about Marcus and his beliefs. You must tell Tanis to take care when dealing with him. I fear he’s gone mad.” Thomas’s words had sent Hector rushing to warn his friend that night all those months ago. Considering the events that transpired in the days after their conversation on the docks of House Orion, Thomas’s fears were not unfounded.
“Wow, it’s just as father described.” Hector’s tone held a note of wonder. The intricate Celtic patterns that were set into the stones were almost as exquisite as the totems standing as pillars outside the doors leading into the palace.
A petite Asian woman with dark hair and soft almond-shaped eyes approached them. “Hector, this is Ainee. She stepped into the role of Priest when Raven took over as the Head of The Order.” Tanis introduced them.
They shook hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hector. If you gentlemen will follow me, everyone has already started dinner, but we can join them.” Once in the dining hall, Hector was finally introduced to Cirian, the only parent he’d yet to meet, as well as the newest member of House Gaeland, Ian.
“He is absolutely adorable, Aiya. He has your hair…but those eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen eyes quite so…illuminated.” Hector took an empty seat across the table from Aiya, Sawyer, and the baby. Raven and Tanis sat with Apollo who was all but glued to Aiya’s hip. Conversation flowed freely, much like the food and the wine. Hector paid attention whenever possible, politely responding if asked a question or having something to say about a particular topic; mostly he ate and watched the interactions between Apollo and the baby.
It was the strangest thing he’d ever seen. Having known Tanis’s son since birth, though not knowing he was Tanis’s son at the time, Hector was well aware of the boy’s hyperactive nature—constantly on the go, never still or quiet. Just being in the same room with young Ian had a calming effect on the usually bouncy boy. And his blue eyes that had always been vibrant and full of mischief were brighter, much like the baby; it was odd.
“Hector?” Ainee’s voice pulled his attention away from the boys.
“Yes?”
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yes, why?” He was confused.
She laughed softly. “I asked how long you’d be staying with us…twice.”
Hector choked on the sip of wine he’d just taken. Ainee smacked him on the back, hard. “Sorry,” he sputtered. “A couple of weeks at least, maybe longer; Tanis’s parents are waiting until right before the ceremony to arrive. With the Samurai Li is sending to Greece from House
人之初 rén zhī chū, Taryn, Thanos and I feel comfortable with all of us being here instead of there.” There was great concern about leaving House Orion without its rulers as well as their newly appointed Captain, but Rian had come up with an acceptable solution. He’d become very good friends with Li, the spouse of the current ruler over House 人之初 rén zhī chū, when he traveled there as a teenager. A simple request of assistance from the largest army in the world, the Samurai, which was led by Li’s husband, Sam, and the problem was solved.
Twenty of the House’s strongest were in route to House Orion at this very moment to stand guard while the royal family attended Tanis and Raven’s ceremony at House Gaeland. Another twenty had come with Li and Sam when they arrived the previous week at Lady Gabry’s request. No one knew yet how far Marcus’s machinations stretched. Therefore, leaving House Orion unprotected was not an option.
; Hector and Ainee talked about mundane things as conversation started among the others at the table. A master at multitasking, Hector was able to talk with Ainee and still listen to what was being said around him. Cirian and Rian were huddled close at the other end of the table, too far away for him to hear with all the other chatter amidst the clanking sounds of utensils on dishes. Raven was still goading Tanis about the ass comment; Sawyer was telling Aiya he’d take care of their newborn that evening so she could rest, but what really caught Hector’s attention was the way Ainee kept stealing glances at Maeve. Judging by the split-second grin Maeve threw her way in return, the attraction was mutual. He’d make it a point to get Maeve alone later and pry.
Servants made their way into the room, some collecting the dinner plates, others carrying trays lined with cakes and other treats for dessert and the tiny infant in Aiya’s arms, who’d been quiet as a church mouse until that point, started whimpering and making noises of discomfort. Having only spent an hour at most with the new baby, it still struck Hector as odd and unusual for the newborn to act agitated or fussy. The look of confusion on his parents’ faces confirmed Hector’s suspicion. So what could be upsetting him?
Aiya held him closer, rocking back and forth. Apollo was standing in his chair leaning in and patting Ian on the head. “What’s the matter with him?” Pol asked Aiya.
“I’m not sure, Pol,” she whispered. “There, there…what’s wrong, baby? Momma’s got you. Are you hungry?”
One of the servants clearing the table reached around Aiya for her plate, a saucer of cake in his other hand, and Ian let out a loud shriek that bounced off every wall in the room. Several glasses shattered as the tiny bundle proceeded to scream at an octave Hector was certain would make a hound’s ears bleed. The smallest of Aiya’s mothers, Mia, jumped up and rushed over, gently shoving the servant holding both plates out of the way and reaching for Ian. Holding him close, she bounced the baby, but he didn’t calm down completely until all the servants had left the room.
Interesting, Hector thought, watching the servants as they scrambled for the door, arms holding trays of dishes barely slowing them down.
Chapter 10 | Almost There
Dinner continued with no further outbursts from Ian. Hector had spent time with many children and babies over the years, but never had he heard such a loud, large, obnoxious outcry from one so small. He’d been shown to a room on the other side of the hall from Raven, Tanis and Apollo’s rooms by Ainee. He was restless though, and something about the reaction the servant had to the baby niggled at him. Hector’s instinct was his greatest weapon, one he’d never doubted before, so he refused to start now.
The palace halls were quiet and still; many people already turned in for the night. Rounding the corner that would lead back to the dining hall, Hector almost ran right into a large, rotund woman wearing a food-stained apron. “Oh my goodness, my apologies…” The woman let her words trail off.
“Hector.” He gave his name and extended his hand to her.
“Ah yes, you arrived earlier today from House Orion.” She shook with a firm, steady hand, surprising Hector. “Were ya hungry, Hector? I can make…”
He cut her off with a shake of his head. “No, I’m fine, just taking a tour and getting my bearings is all.”
“Ah yes, well, if you need a snack or drink, the kitchen is that way.” She pointed down the hall behind her, said good night and stepped around Hector, walking back the way he just came.
He’d not gotten very far when muffled voices on the other side of a door that was cracked a few inches caught his attention. His intention was to keep walking, not wanting to disturb the people in the room nor eavesdrop on someone else’s conversation. But then he heard a very familiar voice, stopping him mid-step.
“Of course I still want the child to be all of ours. But with everything we’ve learned about Marcus and his manipulations, I feel like our child would be put under a microscope; people would fear him or her simply because of the implications of what Marcus did with splicing and manipulating DNA.” Maeve’s voice was strained, and if Hector could see inside the room right now, he was certain she would be crying.
“Maeve, darling, you need to give your new family here more credit than that.” A man’s voice, one Hector did not recognize, tried to reassure her. “Everything Marcus did under the guise of his title was wrapped in hate and confusion. You wanting to bear a child that would carry the DNA of Aiyan, Kaden and yourself is not, could not, be a bad thing because it comes from a place of love and devotion.”
The room beyond the cracked door fell silent for so long it was almost maddening. When Maeve spoke again, her voice was calmer, quieter. “Okay Richard, I’ll think on it and talk to them again before I definitively say no.”
“Good.” The man, Richard, responded and then Hector heard footsteps coming closer to the door. He quickly stepped around the corner as the door opened and Maeve stepped out, followed by a short, older man with graying black hair. Richard wore the symbol of The Order, which explained why he and Maeve were talking about babies and DNA; he must be the Geneticist.
Hector waited a few heartbeats before following them. “Ah Maeve, there you are. Where are you headed? I thought I’d take a walk around the gardens and the perimeter of the palace.”
Maeve shook her head and chuckled. “Of course you would.”
With an impish grin, Hector extended his arm to her and Maeve wrapped hers around it. “What ever do you mean?”
“Oh, nothing,” she said, laughing. “I remember, the very first night we arrived here both Tanis and Sawyer did the exact same thing. They went with Ian…” Maeve’s steps faltered, her voice breaking off.
“The guard who died trying to protect Aiya from Marcus…that was Ian, wasn’t it?” Hector asked softly. Maeve nodded, her eyes misty and distant. “I’m so sorry, Maeve. Judging by how this upsets you, you obviously lost a friend. The lord works in mysterious ways though, doesn’t he? Aiya and Sawyer’s son, named after the fallen man, has a very diligent guardian angel; don’t you agree?”
The statement made Maeve’s cheeks flush, a small smile painting her lips. “Yes, I suppose he does. Come on then, I’ll show you the garden.” Maeve picked up the pace, all but dragging Hector along behind her. The feeling that he was being watched, almost stalked, had returned. Earlier in the day while traveling from the docks to the gates of the palace, Hector had the distinct impression eyes were following him. While foreign and slightly foreboding, he wasn’t afraid. No, quite the contrary actually—if anything, Hector felt a sense of anticipation surrounding him. Something big was coming, but what?
***
A thick copse of trees camouflaged their bodies from sight on the far side of the stables just beyond the reach of the torches that lined the back side of the palace. August searched out the missing ball of light that would indicate the door Cillian would usher them through once he’d incapacitated…or killed…his lover.
“There is a line of torchlight between the building and the stables. I’ll extinguish the torch closest to the iron door once I’ve taken care of my friend,” Cillian had told August and Robert, a gleam in his eye at the prospect of killing the man that had warmed Cillian’s bed many times over the past few months.
The discarded son of the former Ambassadors of House Gaeland couldn’t care less how many people he took down in his quest for vengeance. August was confident his psychotic leader would kill anyone that crossed his path. So, with the help of several of Cillian’s rebels disguised as servants within the palace walls, August had spiked any and all beverages being served to the Guards that evening with belladonna. A murderous rampage through the halls of House Gaeland was far from the vengeance August wanted.
August took the time to study the grounds—the tall trees swaying in the breeze, the smell of freesia and lilies thick in the air. Closing his eyes, he could envision his sister walking through the rows of colorful flowers and trees. Her beautiful long, flowing red ha
ir falling down her back while her inquisitive green eyes roamed every branch, leaf, and stem. In his mind, she was wearing the bright yellow dress he’d given her for Christmas three years past, the one his mother had to sneak out of Autumn’s room while she’d slept to wash it. He’d known as soon as he set eyes on the dress at the market that she’d love it, and he hadn’t been wrong.
Any pity August held for the people of House Gaeland evaporated when an image of his sister in the yellow dress she adored, pale and lifeless, as she was lowered into the ground fought its way past the sight of her smiling in the garden. A loud, creaking noise jerked August back to the present. Following the sound, August looked toward the palace in time to see the light from a torch farther down the path disappear. A quick, sharp whistle from Cillian and they were on their feet, sprinting across the dimly lit path toward the building.
Stepping aside, Cillian ushered Robert and the other twelve men and women into the palace through the iron door. “Come on, come on, don’t got all night. Be a right fucking shame to get caught when we’re this close to what we want,” Cillian barked.