by Auryn Hadley
"Jealous?" she teased.
He caught her hips before she turned away. "I can't answer that, Ley. You look amazing, though. What are we doing with your hair?"
She bit her lower lip. "What do you think? How would a goddess wear hers?"
"Long, just a bit tied back at the crown, a few tendrils teasing her jaw, making men think of kissing it." He slid his fingers through the side. "One of those men is going to be a very lucky bastard."
"Technically, not a bastard."
"He is in my books." Tristan turned her to the stool before the mirror. "Do the dark eyes, but not the lips. No rouge. We don't want them to think you're blushing."
"Jewelry?"
He hooked the tarnished chain with a finger and followed it down. "Do you ever take it off?"
"No."
He nodded. "Good. Have a cream or gold ribbon for a choker?"
She gestured to a box at the side. "Casual stuff is in there, gems in the gold one behind it."
While she painted her eyes, he rummaged through both. Finding nothing, he moved to the door that led into his room, opened it, and asked the men to hand him something. A moment later, he returned with a wooden box barely larger than his palm.
"A week ago, I thought this was a cursed fortune. Now? I think it has a better purpose." He set the box on the other side and lifted the lid. Laying on top was an ornate necklace of teardrop pearls. "Would you be offended to wear what was intended to purchase your freedom?"
"No. A gladiator's prize for a gladiator." She lifted her hair.
He clipped the chain at the back of her neck, then found a brush. In minutes, she looked exactly like she'd hoped: a princess that wasn't afraid to be strong. Standing, she turned for his approval.
Tristan smiled. "By all the gods, Leyli, you are truly beautiful. I'll cut the hand off any man that touches you."
"Not my guards."
He lifted a brow. "Even theirs. Can I take you to breakfast, Princess?"
"I'd be honored."
She grabbed his arm, all but forcing him to escort her properly. Tristan looked down at her proudly, then guided her to the far door. When he opened it, five men looked up. Half of them sucked in a breath. All of them stood quickly. Leyli didn't miss the number of eyes that roamed over her.
"Do you think I'll impress my suitors?" she asked them.
Temotio chuckled, nodding emphatically. "Highness, I think you'll impress the entire court. May I ask why we haven't seen either that dress or that style before?"
"Because I didn't want to kill you," Tristan grumbled, guiding Leyli to one of the chairs around the hastily moved table. "I see you all have swords.
Edwyn gestured to the weapon on his hip. "It's a bit awkward unless it hangs straighter."
"So long as she can reach it, I don't care. Alter it until you can easily carry it, and Ley can grab it without a problem. This will become standard."
They all nodded, accepting that easily, but none of them ate until Leyli made it clear that she did not enjoy meals with a crowd, but did like company. Tristan dropped his elbows onto the table and reached across it to fill his plate, breaking all social rules. Leyli took it, then handed him her empty one. After that, the men stopped worrying about their manners and began making plans.
Someone was trying to threaten her. That much was clear. What they would do next was a mystery. Temotio worried about poisons, so Leyli promised to only drink from a bottle she saw opened in her presence and to eat nothing that wasn't brought to her by her guards. Tristan feared another assault, like the one that had killed her brother. Leyli dismissed that, pointing out that her time as a gladiator wasn't a secret. Edwyn expected an attempt to discredit her when she was speaking to the group of men vying for her hand. Leyli had to admit that was possible, but she couldn't devise a way to stop it. In the end, the only thing they could do was guard her like they had been.
"We're also leaving the palace for at least three weeks. Is that a problem for anyone?" she asked.
Armando scratched at his jaw. "Sir? Can I get a day off to make sure my wife is prepared?"
Tristan nodded. "Of course. Make sure we know, so we can cover. I'll also give you evenings off until we're on the road."
Edwyn, Horace, and Gregori shook their heads. Temotio shrugged. "I think most of us are ready to leave as you need, Highness. Any special considerations?"
Tristan leaned back and smiled. "Lenlochlien. You'll be sleeping in a barn, most likely. We'll stay a week, maybe more. Just us and two drivers."
"I'll talk to the Master of Horse,"Gregori offered. "Know a man I trust to drive. Sir, you riding?"
Tristan groaned, but nodded. "As much as I can. It's a skill best learned when young, I think."
"Good," Leyli told him. "Because I have a present for you. Time you stop riding lady's horses."
Temotio laughed. "Taking offers for marriage and buying a man a gift. Highness, you're about to turn the nation on its head."
"They don't need to know about it. I trust my guards, and I like to spoil them." She smiled. "Be careful. It might be one of you, next. If you can all learn to keep it quiet."
Edwyn leaned back and chuckled. "I'm pretty sure we weren't chosen for our skills. Either that, or the Lion of Lenlochlien was getting really desperate when he picked me."
Tristan grinned. "Possible. Not like there's a bunch of dirty fighters in the Royal Guard to choose from."
Horace reached over for the bottle of wine. "Is that what you want, sir? Dirty fighting?"
"Want men willing to die to protect the heir to the throne," Tristan said. "And I don't just mean her body, but her secrets, her mistakes, and her pride. I picked all of you because I think you're all man enough to take the fall so she won't have to."
Armando nodded, pushing the food around on his plate. "You know they call her the Gladiator Queen?"
"Yeah," Leyli said. "Because I was a gladiator."
He looked up. "Not just that, Highness. It's because we all know you understand. King Aravatti is a good man, don't get me wrong, but he's never wondered how he was going to feed his wife and kids. He never had to decide between buying bread or paying the rent. I have a feeling the choices you made in that arena were a lot harder than the ones men like me struggle with."
She reached for her glass. "I had to kill men like you, Armando."
"Yeah, and from the look on your face, it wasn't easy." He took a bite. "Spent a few months worried I'd get that notice. Think most of us have."
"Yeah," Gregori said softly.
Horace nodded, flicking an embarrassed smile at her.
Edwyn shrugged. "Not really. Not gonna lie about it, but know what it's like to have everyone poking their nose into your business. Swear the whole guard knows what my father paid to get me a recommendation. It's none of their business, and I'm not gonna stand for someone doing it to her Highness."
"Besides," Gregori said, trying to lighten the mood, "Heir's Guard gets access to all the maids, right? Don't wanna fuck that up!"
"Kitchen girls are cuter," Horace whispered much too loudly.
Tristan laughed. "Wait until you see the ladies in Lenlochlien. You'll never want one of these hags again."
"Hey!" Leyli slapped his arm.
He rubbed at it. "Hush, you're out of our reach. We just want something half as nice as what we spend all day looking at."
She stared, her mouth flapping, and the men laughed. "I will get you for that."
"Just remember it when you stand before you future husband. They'll all be sitting with their hands in their laps for a reason."
Around the room, five men quickly placed their hands on the table. Leyli laughed, and Tristan gestured, proving his point. To a man, her entire guard was turning red.
Chapter 13
When she was finished eating, Leyli and Tristan met up with Theodian and Plague to continue their discussion from the night before. With the four of them alone, things were a lot more relaxed, but it made her even more aware of Tr
istan's presence beside her. Plague wasn't helping. He kept looking at the Lion with a smirk.
"What?" she finally snapped.
He lifted his hands. "Nothing."
"What?" she demanded. "It's just us, so spill it, Plague."
He glanced to Theodian, who shrugged, then over to the Lion. "If you don't want to start rumors, then stop staring at her. That's all I'm saying."
"I'm supposed to keep an eye on her."
"Yeah," Plague muttered. "And she is a lot higher than her chest. If I can tell, I'm pretty sure one of these arrogant fucks will."
"Lay off," Theodian hissed.
Plague grunted under his breath. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed."
The look on Theodian's face was perfectly controlled. "Are you trying to say that you haven't looked at the necklace she's wearing? Or maybe tried to identify exactly what the detail is on that trim?"
Plague's face began to darken. "Not used to sitting across from a lady."
"Right." Theodian picked up the next page and pretended to read it. "Ivy, so you know."
Tristan chuckled. "Guess this means no more low cut dresses, Ley."
"Would be a shame," Theodian told him. "I mean, for you to lose your excuse."
Tristan's head snapped over to Plague, and the little man lifted his hands in innocence. Leyli leaned back to watch, but Theodian laughed. "He was inside the cart and never had a tandem partner. Just be careful, Lion. There aren't that many of us who understand what it's like to be chained together for that long. Takes a man hard."
"Woman, too," Leyli said.
"I'm sure. Especially since you're still tied together, just with politics." He put down the paper, then grabbed another. "I hear that in Rhia, there are men who live together for the rest of their lives, unable to tolerate the separation. Just make sure your husband doesn't misunderstand, Highness."
"I'd rather he didn't know."
Theodian nodded. "He won't hear it from us. Doesn't mean he won't notice your Secor's complete devotion. Just be careful, you two."
"Any advice?" she asked.
Theodian smiled, letting his eyes shift to Tristan. "What would happen if you dared them? If you rub it in their faces that you're above their rules?" He looked back to Leyli. "What could they do, if you were just like every noble born male in the palace?"
"You mean whoring?"
He tipped his head. "And how many of them have their mistresses placed close enough that they can see her when ever they want? Change the rules, Leyli. That's how you win. You make the rules work in your favor."
She finally looked over to Tristan. "It's not that easy."
His hazel eyes held hers. "I don't know how to play this game, Ley, so I'm just following your lead."
She nodded, knowing he didn't mean court politics. "Then all I can do is try to get it right. Ok. I need a list of the jobs performed by slaves in a gladiatorial arena. Menial labor, too. Those jobs that pay next to nothing, like working the compost heaps."
"Besides guards," Theodian said, letting her change the subject, "that's most of them. You have a blacksmith at each, and a few arenas have select specialties, but most of the staff are all either underpaid or slaves."
"Ok." She gestured to his paper. "Get me a list. The title and description of every duty, and who is in charge of them, if you can find that. I'd also like the numbers for how much you've saved using gladiators for daily tasks instead of replacing them. We're going to have to convince team owners this will make them money."
Plague was scribbling on a page set before him. "Will take me the rest of the day to figure all of that."
"No, that's fine." She pushed back her chair. "I'll probably be busy for the rest of the day. Feel free to make yourselves comfortable, and if you need anything, ask the guard. They all know you're here at my invitation. Sadly, I have to go threaten a group of men who think I should lay down and roll over."
"Wolf," Plague said as she stood. "You can do this. Just make sure they know you bite."
She rumpled his hair as she walked past him to the door. "Thanks, Plague. I'll see you both tomorrow."
With Tristan right behind her, Leyli pulled open the door and stepped out, nearly colliding with a woman. The palace had become crowded since so many men had come to hear her terms. The idea of marrying into royalty was appealing, and few nobles traveled alone. Leyli should have expected nothing less, yet she still wasn't used to it.
"Pardon me," she said, touching the woman's arm to make sure she was ok.
The face that looked back was the last one she wanted to see. The Domness of Everton smiled at her kindly. "My apologies, Highness. I didn't know anyone was in this..." her eyes moved over Leyli's shoulder, finding Tristan. "...hall."
Leyli felt him stand straighter and knew he recognized the woman. She spoke before he could. "Good afternoon, Domness. Have you come to the palace alone, or is your husband with you?"
"He is," she said, feigning pride. "And my son, the reason we came. I believe you'll be meeting him shortly. He's hoping you'll find his offer appealing."
Tristan grunted under his breath, sounding anything but impressed. Leyli tried to ignore him. "How old is he now, Ermenia?"
"Nearly twenty, so not much younger than you. I think you may have plenty in common." Her eyes moved to Tristan. "It seems Adriano has a fascination with gladiators."
Tristan couldn't hold his tongue any longer. "Do you think he got that from his mother?"
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about." The Domness gave him a regal smile. "Have we met, sir? I'm afraid I can't recall."
"We weren't formally introduced, and it was dark, so maybe you missed my face."
"Tristan!" Leyli snapped. "That's enough."
Ermenia huffed out her breath. "I believe your guard needs a lesson in proper manners, Highness. I would hate to accidentally be offended."
Leyli chewed at the side of her lip, saying nothing. She couldn't believe this woman was trying to threaten her. Then again, the Domness probably had no idea that Leyli knew about Tristan's sluts. She probably assumed he would have kept that from her. What she needed was to be reminded of exactly what she had to lose.
"I'm sure Tristan was simply shocked to see such an old friend after all this time. Maybe later, we can introduce him to your son. Adriano might enjoy hearing about the many duties of a gladiator outside the arena. Tristan and I have dozens of stories that he might find interesting. It's not all fighting, you know."
"Oh?" The Domness lifted her chin. "And how familiar are you with such things, Highness?"
"Very. I was locked in the room beside him." Leyli clenched her jaw. "And had a very good view of who came and went."
Ermenia dragged her eyes down Leyli's body. "And you speak of it without shame. Maybe Adriano needs to rethink his offer."
"Maybe I do, too," Leyli shot back. "I would hate to put so much temptation within your reach. I hear many middle aged women were desperate enough to trade their family jewels for his time. I wonder what you'd do to get them back?"
Tristan chuckled, but it sounded cruel. "Yes, madam, I still have the emerald bracelet. Seems my tandem partner bought my freedom before I could buy hers, and her father rewarded me with the position of Secor. Don't you dare try to threaten me."
The Domness grew more pale with each word. Her eyes moved between Tristan and Leyli, then she shook her head. "You stole it or something. The courts would never believe a gladiator over a lady."
"What about a Princess?" Leyli asked. "Or maybe the Heir? Let me make this very clear. If you try to make Tristan pay for your mistakes, I will make sure you suffer. I will tell your husband and son, as well as my father. How do you think that would affect Adriano?"
"What do you mean?"
Slowly, Leyli leaned closer. "If you've done it once, who's to say you haven't before? Strange how few children you have, isn't it? Was the Domn unable to do his marital duty?"
"You wouldn't!"
"I would." L
eyli shoved closer into Ermenia's face. "I will do anything I have to. If you doubt me, keep pushing. I will not let you threaten my partner, not even for your own pride. If you keep your damned mouth shut, maybe he will too. If you beg his forgiveness, he might be persuaded to forget any of this ever happened, but you will never see that bracelet again. Consider it my little insurance of your faith in my upcoming reign."
"Highness..."
"No." Leyli cut her off with a wave of her arm. "Begging his forgiveness should have been first. Playing naive would have worked. Acting as if the man who saved my life is beneath you offends us. We will not forget such things easily, is that clear?"
"Yes, Highness," the woman blubbered, ducking her head. "My apologies, Princess. I was simply shocked and ashamed, and reacted poorly."
"I'm sure. Now leave us. I have things to attend. Good afternoon, Domness."
"Yes, Highness. Thank you, Highness."
Without waiting for the bitch to finish, Leyli turned and stormed up the hall, knowing Tristan would be right beside her. The sound of her feet on the stones was loud, proving that her anger was more than just feigned. She made it halfway through the palace before Tristan grabbed her arm, yanking her around.
"Stop it, Ley. She's just a stupid slut."
Leyli's arm pointed back the way they'd come. "She threatened to ruin you, Tristan. Don't you understand? She would have seen you thrown back onto the sands to save her own pride, because she thinks her life is worth more than yours."
"And she can't." He looked down at her face. "She can't, Ley. The king wouldn't let her, and there's no way the Princess of Norihame would. She just wanted to bruise my pride, but it won't work." He caressed the back of her head. "Because my best friend is too strong for that. Relax, Leyli. Don't let our past affect our future."
"Our?" She smiled, even though it was weak. "How royal of you."
"I've been learning from the best. You're one scary bitch when Leylani Meridia Aravatti rears her head. I think I'd rather face your sword than your tongue."
A laugh finally broke out. Leyli ducked her head, nodding at the foolishness of her reaction. "Wanna know a secret?"