Constant

by Lexi Ander

  “Unfortunately, I have more to ask of you and the Monticore,” he started, carefully choosing his words. “I, too, will need a contingent of eight guards, but only while I am in the water.”

  Captain Hesperos’s sharp brown eyes narrowed. “What kind of threat are we protecting you from?”

  “Those you choose will be sworn to secrecy. The immediate threat is from Nethus, the male who accompanied Prince Canry before the battle.”

  The captain hiss-clicked. Those who protected Canry after he arrived had front-row seats to how Nethus acted with both Canry and Zeus. Plus, they were aware that the twins returned from the Dream injured. They were not aware that the fight had started over Canry, but after Nethus’s proprietary behavior, they might have guessed.

  “I will warn those assigned to Prince Canry to be extra vigilant. Should we double the number of guards when he goes swimming?”

  “Yes,” Mestor answered, giving his own angry hiss-click.

  “Consider it done,” Captain Hesperos vowed, glancing back at Sohm’lan. “How else can we help?”

  “I will be investigating a few things with Princess Shaneva. The guards who accompany me will see and hear things they will need to keep to themselves. At this point in time, no one is to know what we uncover, per Princess Shaneva’s orders. Not even Emperor Valdor. Her command is backed by a farseeing by Prince Canry.”

  Captain Hesperos’s eyes narrowed further until they were mere slits. Sohm’lan would be suspicious too if he was asked to hide something from Valdor and was given vague details.

  “Neither me nor my bulls will lie to the emperor or the royal family if asked,” the captain warned.

  “We would never ask you to,” Mestor replied. “My sister has been working on uncovering a conspiracy. If word gets out and the wrong people hear, she, Canry, Sohm, and I will be made to disappear. Warlord Sohm’lan is only asking for secrecy until it is safe to show our hand.”

  Captain Hesperos swirled the honey wine in his glass, obviously deep in thought. “As long as we are not asked to betray Emperor Valdor by word or deed, I will hand pick the guards assigned to you. Contact me when you are going into the water.”

  Sohm’lan agreed, appreciating that Captain Hesperos’s trust had been stretched to its limits. With their conversation concluded, the captain retired for the night. Mestor pulled Sohm’lan into the sleeping chamber, tackling the chore of making him cease his worrying until the morrow. He put his fears aside and gave all his attention to his amor, knowing the reprieve would be temporary. A new storm brewed on the horizon. Whether or not he would be equipped to handle it had yet to be determined.

  Sohm’lan

  * * *

  The next morning was rushed. Sohm’lan was summoned to answer additional questions from his debriefing. Later, he accompanied Valdor while he visited several councilmembers, looking for someone to tutor Zeus. The Chi-Lin councilmember, Rheax Omphalox, agreed to assess Zeus. The Chi-Lin were powerful psionics, but few left their homeworld except those who attended their Council of Neighn member. Rheax promised that if Zeus was indeed psionic, she could teach him control.

  Valdor also approached the councilmember for Vito Aquanis, an elemental-controlling species. He was told that Kaldor Darkmoonguard would be sent to Atlainticia to meet with Zeus in a few moons. Sohm’lan was just as relieved as Valdor that they were closer to finding someone to tutor Zeus, even if they had not spoken to Zeus yet.

  Empress Ashari spent the morning working from the office attached to the suite where Zeus and Canry slept. Sohm’lan had seen Captain Dargon Kal-Turak throughout the day, attending to his duties for the Crown Princes. The news of his official resignation swept through the palace like wildfire. Sohm’lan thought it was odd that the majority of the Oethra 7 crew were leaving imperial service as well, especially since the talk of the coming war headlined galactic news.

  He did not see much of Mestor, Azaes, or Ariafella. Valdor explained that they were splitting the duties and meetings so all business could be concluded early. Valdor planned to stay longer at Valespia, but Azaes needed to return to Atlainticia soon. Ashari had asked a favor of a couple of cousins to be the Throne’s stewards until Valdor or Azaes returned. With Timsah Gadrius causing chaos, it was important that the Vondorians were visible and available to answer questions.

  As Captain Hesperos had told them the night before, Timsah had been granted an audience with a few of the Council of Neighn members and the Galactic Imperials. Valdor was issued an official summons. There was also a private summons for Zeus from the Galactic Imperials that made Sohm’lan wary. He was aware there was concern that Zeus would be forced into service if the Bespoken was not located. His lip curled after the page retreated.

  “This is not unexpected, not really,” Valdor said, reading through the writ. “We knew Timsah would make a play for the throne. When Ariafella told us what she had overheard, I suspected he would seek help from the Council of Neighn.” He sighed and placed the tube in his pocket. “I wish Zeus had trusted me and reported Timsah’s assault instead of leaving the planet secretly.”

  “You were just as foolish by not following him when he ran,” Sohm’lan admonished lightly. This was an old conversation. “Plus, Timsah had covered his tracks well. If Zeus had come forward, Timsah would have dragged Zeus’s name through sewage as we gathered evidence. What we uncovered without Timsah noticing revealed he was ready to make it appear as if Zeus and Rathmar enjoyed being hurt. I am not sure Rathmar would have survived Timsah’s wrath. He barely lived as it was.”

  “You think Timsah would have murdered his own son?”

  “With how he punished Rathmar for Zeus’s escape and how he has treated Rathmar since, yes. Then he would have manufactured a way to blame his death on Zeus.” The situation between Zeus and Rathmar was complicated and Sohm’lan hated that Timsah kept getting away with dirty deeds. Timsah had anticipated the Vondorians coming after him, but Zeus did not react as Timsah anticipated, ruining all his carefully-laid plans. The evidence would have been circumstantial and if Timsah could not control what Rathmar revealed—and Sohm’lan knew for certain that he never could—then Rathmar would have died to further Timsah’s plans. They had yet to tell Zeus, and Sohm’lan was not looking forward to the talk.

  “Ashari is expecting us for midday meal.” Valdor typed out a message on his data pad as they walked.

  Just as alert as the Monticore, Sohm’lan took in who they passed, who stared too long, and who followed them for a few corridors. Valdor said nothing about the additional guards in his detail that morning. Since some of the Basilisc supported Timsah, Sohm’lan was suspicious of every Mar’Sani who had approached Valdor that morning.

  Inside the suite, Ashari had a low table set for their repast. “Dargon is dining with the Crown Princes. I do not expect him back until late afternoon.”

  “Ariafella and Azaes are attending an informal meal with a few of our allies on the council. Mestor said he would be along shortly,” Valdor added.

  Sohm’lan went to the sleeping chamber where Zeus and Canry rested. Someone had washed Zeus’s face more thoroughly and put him in sleep clothes. His short hair was spiky and misshapen, making him looked like a youngling of ten summers.

  Canry rested just as hard as his brother. Sohm’lan wanted to smooth his fingers over the youngling’s cheek but did not know if the touch would be welcome. Without being distracted by post-battle responsibilities and ensuring their princes were protected, he was attacked by a sense of… of… he was not sure what. His chest hurt and eyes burned. Perhaps it was relief the young prince was home. He doubted Canry remembered him. He had been so young when taken from them. Hopefully, the prince would give Sohm’lan a chance to get to know him as more than a warlord to Valdor.

  When he turned to leave, Ashari and Valdor were standing in the doorway watching him. Their expressions told him that they too feared Canry would not know them. They did not know how he was raised. Was there a family who loved him, care
d for him?

  They sat at the low table, not speaking, though the silence was not uncomfortable. When Mestor entered the room, it was as if the clouds hiding the sun vanished. Mestor’s attention was all for him, and he soaked up the smile and soft expression that spoke of a love Mestor had yet to voice.

  “How has your day been, Tori?” he asked as Mestor settled next to him.

  There was something about Mestor that made him forget others were around and he pressed his forehead against his amor’s, noting the mischievous glint in those luminous eyes.

  “Greetings, amor-mine, I see my father has not worked you to the bone yet.” Mestor grinned.

  The huff-chuckle across the table made Sohm’lan stiffen, but Mestor placed a staying hand on his arm. At his imploring expression, Sohm’lan did not pull away. He was not used to showing affection in front of others. Not that he was not embarrassed that others saw him treat Mestor with adoration, but he had spent summers watching over Mestor from the shadows. He had overheard plenty of unflattering conversation and snide comments from people the houses sent to seduce Valdor’s second son. The courtiers were a pit of vipers. Sohm’lan had always been relieved that Mestor had shown no interest in anything more than bed play.

  “I am yours now,” Mestor whispered, and he wondered if he had dropped his shields, allowing his thoughts to be read.

  “And it is about time,” Ashari said, dipping a hard, crusty bread into a purple oil. “I despaired over your stubbornness, Sohm. You are precious to us and loving our son means we get to keep you forever.” She crunched into the thick piece, offering the other half to Valdor who ate from her hand without grazing her scales with his teeth.

  Something flashed in front of Sohm’lan’s face, and he jerked back only to find that Mestor held a fork spearing a small red crustacean in front of him, waiting for him to eat it. His scales pulled tight, partly from embarrassment at his reaction and partly because no one had offered to feed him in a long, long time. The smile Mestor gave him when he opened his mouth was worth every terrible chew. Valdor laughed as Sohm’lan ate, his best friend knew full well he did not care for that particular crustacean. He worked to keep from making a face, barely managing to swallow without grimacing.

  Mestor glanced suspiciously at his laughing father then down at the bowl of the soft-shelled delicacy. “You are not supposed to eat what you do not like,” he grumbled, then glared at his father. “And you! You are supposed to be his friend! Letting me feed him without saying something. Instead you cackled at him and his discomfort.”

  Valdor only laughed harder, falling on his side onto the next cushion over. “You have it bad, my friend. I cannot believe you actually swallowed.” His best friend’s voice gave out as he wheezed.

  Mestor shoved the offending food across the table and chose something different. Sohm’lan could see Mestor was trying to ignore his father. He accepted a clam from Mestor, kissing his fingertips to soothe his love. Sohm’lan picked through the grilled fish for the best piece and fed Mestor.

  Valdor sat up and righted his robes. “I worried that you would never make it to this point. But seeing you two together has made all the worrying worthwhile.”

  Mestor chewed, considering his father. “You saw us together? I thought you and Azaes were the same, only farseeing a few weeks into the future?”

  “Yes, when I search the future, I can only see so far, and I can only remember so many diverging branches. But sometimes farseeing comes to me without provocation.” He looked at Mestor meaningfully before turning his gaze to Sohm’lan. “You know I am cautious about the family gift. I do not use it carelessly and take the responsibility of bearing said knowledge seriously.”

  “You saw Sohm’lan’s future?” Mestor prodded, interest sharpening his gaze.

  “You, my friend, grieved deeply for your beloved and youngling,” Valdor said, not taking his gaze form Sohm’lan. “At the end of your mourning period you did not remove the black veil. Summer after summer the pain of your heart dragged you closer to the fade.” Valdor finally looked to Mestor, “But that vision told me how important Sohm’lan would become to my family, to our people, to my son, if I could just help him find a reason to stay with us.”

  “He told me what he saw,” Ashari said, her expression soft and full of love. “Even then, you were our dearest friend, a part of our family even if you held onto propriety much too long. I loved you too and wanted the best person for my son, so I suggest that Valdor make you their waterfather.”

  “And after you held the twins, you changed, removing your black veil. All my young became a large part of your life, entwining you more tightly with us. Ashari and I loved sharing them with you.”

  “But then you clung to being their waterfather so tenaciously, I thought I had made a mistake,” Ashari said, sipping a fruit juice, giving Sohm’lan time to digest what they said.

  “It was only recently that I suspected Valdor saw something but did not realize the full scope of it until he told me yesterday about the vision,” Sohm’lan responded. He opened his mouth, accepting another crunchy morsel from Mestor, chewing without tasting.

  “Well, if we are having an ‘I confess’ meal, then it is my turn.” Mestor turned to face him.

  Sohm’lan choked on his food, sipping some water when the coughing subsided. He tried not to be alarmed by the determination in Mestor’s expression.

  “I have been in love with you since I was fifteen. I despaired of you ever seeing me as anyone other than your waterson.”

  “Fifteen summers is much too young,” Sohm’lan wheezed.

  Mestor’s serious expression broke into a grin. “Oh, I know that now, but back then you could not have convinced me of that. I mooned after you and found reason to show up in the same places you went.” Mestor scratched his chin with obvious embarrassment. “I really hated the bull who kept you company back then.”

  Sohm’lan frowned. “I do not know who you are talking about.” From time to time, he found someone to scrape scales with, but he had no personal relationships.

  His Tori cocked his head to the side, considering. “I suppose not. He kept trying to get your attention and you often looked right through him. I had overhead him speaking about what a catch you would be, and he noticed me following you.” Mestor wrinkled his nose. “He said a few things that made it clear… well, it does not matter because you are mine and not his.” Mestor preened for a few moments, gloating, Sohm’lan was sure. If this was his confession, then—

  “I tried to put my affection for you behind me. But I continued to love you as I matured. I was sure that I would spend my days alone without a lifemate. I refused to choose someone who was not you. I even went so far as to bank my sperm with the surrogate agency.”

  His chest warmed, his quickening awakening and rising with his emotions. He never realized how devoted Mestor was. With his brothers, yes. But with him…

  “Then the first uninitiated farseeing hit me. I told you a little about it last night. The only times the farsight came to me unbidden, they had to do with you. When I tried to use farseeing to get more details about us, I saw only mist, the pathway not open to me. So, I heeded those unexpected warnings given to me and started slowly seducing you.”

  Sohm’lan covered his laugh with his fist.

  “You were oblivious.” Mestor grinned. “But I still tried, always afraid I would chase you away.”

  He grabbed Mestor’s nape and pulled him close to nuzzle his cheek. “I am sorry, my amor. I was buried in guilt and using propriety to shield myself because I was afraid. Forgive me. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

  His Tori made a happy sound. “Never.”

  The rest of the meal was a quiet affair. Sohm’lan relished every morsel Mestor fed him and was quick to reciprocate. When most of the dishes were empty and Sohm’lan’s belly rounded with fullness, Valdor cleared his throat, his expression serious.

  “With the events of the past few weeks, I set aside time for my own
farseeing. I worried about my young and mate.” Ashari leaned into Valdor. “I was able to see Ashari and Ariafella, but the way was clouded for everyone on The Gorgon. It happens when there are too many pathways. I try not to rely on farsight for that reason, but to be completely clouded was not only frustrating but harrowing for me.”

  “I took your inability to see as a suggestion from the beyond that there are events we should not meddle in,” Ashari added, looking at Valdor, a warning in her gaze.

  “Canry’s future has always been shrouded from me,” Valdor confessed, a sadness enveloping him. “I looked when Ashari told me her tie to him had not been severed by death. Through my own attempts, I only knew he was alive, so I was familiar with farseeing being clouded. When Shaneva’s pathways started clouding after she went to live in the Waters of Poseidon, I thought the Waters themselves were what caused my sight to be unclear. That theory was disproved when The Gorgon left to bring Zeus home.” Valdor looked truly disturbed.

  Sohm’lan attempted to keep from squirming under the steady regard of his best friend. Mestor shifted and toyed with the cutlery, not meeting his father’s gaze. He refrained from sighing. Mestor was extremely adept at wearing a blank mask as a warlord, giving nothing away. But he could never hide anything from his parents. When Valdor noticed Mestor’s behavior, he did not pounce as Sohm’lan expected.

  “When I contemplated investigating, I was hit with a brief vision of both of you with Shaneva before the two of you were swallowed by fog.”

  “I suspect it was a warning,” Ashari added, tension rolling off her in thick waves.