by Auryn Hadley
When the dessert was served, he reappeared. Like a dark shadow against the wall, Leyli knew when he stepped behind her. From the change in her posture, Connall noticed as well. He glanced back, then laughed. A second later, Tristan's arm reached over her shoulder.
"Congratulations," he said gruffly, placing a box between them.
Leyli caught his eye and he smiled, then gestured for her to open it. Around the hall, people were watching, their heads turned and the hum of conversation dimmed. When Connall nodded, she lifted the lid and sucked in a breath. Inside the wood box was a soft velvet lining. Nestled against that were two rings and a masculine necklace. Leyli reached for the ring with the pink stone, turning it to the light. Engraved on the flat surface was her new crest.
Connall took the other, its stone a pale green. A moment later he laughed, making out the symbol on it. He passed it to Leyli and took the necklace, laughing louder when he realized what it was.
Tristan had just given them their official signet rings. Leyli's was the standard Aravatti crest embraced by her wolf and his lion. Connall's was a variant of the Moyloch crest, but instead of three laying lions, it had only one, and it was designed to look younger. An Aravatti wolf held the whole thing on its shoulders. She handed back the ring and he showed her the necklace. Leyli barely had it in her fingers before she, too, was laughing. Somewhere, Tristan had found someone to carve a lion cub in the same style as her necklace.
"It's perfect," she said, looking up at him. "Absolutely perfect!"
Connall shoved back his chair and stood, a huge smile on his face. When he offered Tristan his hand, the Secor took it, but Connall pulled him into a close, back thumping hug. "Thank you, my friend. That means a lot to me."
"Also quells a few rumors."
"It does, doesn't it." Connall patted his arm then stepped back, making room for Leyli.
Without hesitation she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged. When Tristan patted her shoulder gently, Connall reached over and slid his hand down her hair, making it clear that he had no problems with their friendship. With her cheeks burning from the smile, Leyli stepped back to put the necklace around her Prince's throat. Around the hall people clapped, and when she returned to her chair, she saw her father smiling at her proudly. That little display had just destroyed the strongest complaint against her.
Shortly after that, they managed to escape. Behind them, men called out bawdy ideas and women giggled excitedly. Leyli tried to ignore it, but she knew that everyone was whispering about whether or not Connall had married a ruined woman. For the rest of the night, the entire court would speculate about how many men she'd been with as a gladiator. It made her stomach clench but she had to keep the happy smile plastered on her face until they were out of sight.
The whole way to Connall's rooms, people found some excuse to stop and congratulate them. Most were minor nobles who otherwise wouldn't get the chance to speak to royalty. A few were courtiers Leyli already knew, hoping to place themselves well. Connall did an excellent job of excusing them each time.
Eventually they reached his rooms. Standing before his door were two men in uniforms she recognized. At the sight of the newly wed couple, Gregori and Armando looked up with smiles. Gregori reached back to open the door and Armando stepped forward to chase away the last few people trailing behind them. Connall glanced back, saw they were being watched, then paused.
"Please be light," he whispered before bending to scoop her into his arms.
Leyli squealed, but grabbed his shoulders, holding herself up as he crossed the threshold. As soon as he was on the other side, he set her back down, laughing at himself. Behind him, Gregori moved to close the door, his head lagging behind.
"Wedding present from the guard," he told her with a sly grin. "Astrid will explain."
At the sound of her name, Leyli's maid stepped out of the bed chamber and gestured for Gregori to get out. "Ok, I'm supposed to dress Leyli down. Connall, you will change in your valet's room, but I want to show you this first." She waved for both of them to follow and walked back into the bed room.
Connall followed behind Leyli, the expression on his face as confused as she felt. Astrid moved to the end of the bed, then pointed to the wash basin and a coverlet tossed on the floor before it.
"As disgusting as it is..." Astrid grabbed a corner of the blanket and lifted, showing a stain. "Gregori talked me into bringing one of Connall's spares to him. Then, he managed to seduce some innocent girl on it. Armando cut his arm and washed it clean with the rag on the vanity." Then she chuckled. "So, Leyli, your husband has proof of your innocence, if that's what you'd like. If not, I'll clean this up before the staff arrives tomorrow."
Connall's mouth fell open and he groaned, but Leyli laughed. "Leave it to Gregori. And no one noticed this?"
Astrid shrugged. "I did bring in a spare set of sheets, since I was worried that the enthusiastic couple might make a mess of the ones they had. I honestly doubt anyone would think a thing of it."
"Thank you. It's disgusting, but yeah. Thanks. Make sure they know?"
Connall just tossed his hands in the air. "Remind me never to get on your bad side, Leyli. I need to dress down. Lock the door until she's ready?"
"Yes, my Lord," Astrid teased, shooing him out of the room.
As soon as they were alone, she flipped the latch then rounded on her friend. "Ok, so I brought some options. We have your common night clothes, a seductive robe, or something more concealing?"
"Considering we're supposed to be intimate?" Leyli sighed and looked at her options, choosing a comfortable night gown, but the seductive robe. It would keep the appearance without making her self conscious all night.
It didn't take long for Astrid to get her changed. She also remembered to replace the necklace. When she was done, Astrid bundled everything together, unlocked the door and thumped on it, then bid Leyli good luck. The look in her eye said she was willing to lend an ear in the morning if Leyli needed it.
She hoped she wouldn't, but she'd never been left alone all night with a man that wasn't Tristan. Waiting for Connall, she poured a glass of wine and lounged in the sitting area. A half finished game of Go waited on a side table. Looking it over kept her busy until the soft sound of bare feet made her head jerk up and her heart pound.
Connall stood there in a pair of loose pants and a dressing robe. Beneath that, his chest was bare. Aware of her inspection, his cheeks darkened and he scratched at his hair awkwardly.
"I have a birthmark," he said, moving to take a chair across from her. "On my upper leg. It's just a purple spot, no bigger than a pea, but you probably need to know."
She nodded. "I have scars."
He reached for the amphora of wine, his eyes on the glass. "Any that would be memorable?"
"A few." She lifted her leg, sliding up the hem of her robe to show the puckered line on her calf. "Tristan went down from a shield to the temple. I'd never used a flail before and nearly tore off my own leg trying to keep the other two teams from finishing him off."
Connall's breath rushed out and he bent to touch it. "That looks like it was deep."
"Yeah. He sewed it up, so it didn't heal too bad, but I was lame for a week." She pulled her leg back. "I have one that's worse across my ribs." She glanced up. "And breast."
He drew a line across his ribs. "About here?"
"Here." She traced the path of the sword that had nearly killed her. "Our second fight. I thought I was going to bleed out or die from it going septic. Tristan said he could see bone."
"And more." He tilted his head. "He sewed that, too?"
She nodded quickly. "It was the first time. The wound hurt so bad that the stitches didn't matter. He had to peel me out of my armor, right there in our cell with the open front, but he was a perfect gentleman. I think he was as scared as I was of it being too bad to live through."
"You love him?"
"Yeah." The word was barely a whisper, and she looked up to read his face.<
br />
Connall smiled and nodded at her. "I'm ok with that, Leyli. Pretty sure that man loves you. I think you deserve him, after everything you've been through. One person who will never leave your side. You call him your best friend, but seeing you in private? It's so much more than that." He chuckled at himself and shoved back his hair. "Leyli? I think you're my best friend. At least, you're the closest I've ever had. I'd kinda like to keep it like that, even though this whole life of ours is crazy."
"That'd be nice." She reached over for his hand. "What do you want to do about the coverlet?"
He gripped her fingers back and lowered their hands to the table. "Ignore it. When the maids find it, the rumors will go. It will also explain the awkwardness between us and is one more piece of proof that there's nothing between you and Tristan."
"Even thought I kinda said..."
He chuckled. "You said you weren't a stupid virgin. I think I was the only person in that room paying attention, because I thought you were saying you weren't stupid. They heard that you weren't a virgin. Now I know you meant both."
She could feel the warmth rushing to her face and pulled her hand back to cover it. "No, you were right. It wasn't until after you and I talked that I realized what I'd done. I didn't want to let my husband control me like that, so I asked Tristan for help."
"I'm sure he didn't mind."
She laughed sadly. "He asked who I wanted. Said he'd make it happen. Connall, he is my best friend. He said we shouldn't cross that line, because we couldn't uncross it, and now look at us."
"Happy." He pushed at her glass. "All of us. I'm pretty happy with my life, Leyli. I honestly don't care of you kiss him in front of me, or whatever. When we're out of sight? Be happy."
"Can we go to Lenlochlien once a year? Like I did this year? Just a vacation with the Lyone family?" She grabbed her wineglass. "It's just a small farm house, but we can buy some land there and let Brice farm it, now that he has a team of horses."
"Get away from court? Act like real people? Yeah. Just plan a wagon for my books." He grinned. "Leyli, I'm so nervous."
"Me too."
"I keep thinking that you're going to be comparing me to him." He tugged at the lapels of the robe. "I don't have the physique to make my lovers swoon, and Tristan? He's beautiful, like a dream come to life. I keep waiting for the disgusted looks, but we're supposed to be, you know, so, I want to make sure if anyone knocks..."
"You're handsome, Connall. You're not a warrior, but that doesn't make you ugly." She gestured to herself. "I'm covered in scars from the games. I'm not a pretty lady, not like a princess should be. I keep thinking that I look more like a man than a wife."
"You don't." His mouth twitched, the smile flickering over it. "You look nothing like a man. I promise. But I think you just figured out how to explain Tristan's friendship."
"Oh?"
He leaned forward. "Maybe he craves a softer and weaker woman for a lover. The exact kind that would be too timid to let a man tumble her without a ring." As he spoke, his smile grew, then turned sly. "The kind that will giggle, blush, and run away if he flirts."
"Especially if he's too forward!" She clutched his hands. "Connall, you're brilliant. By the gods, you're going to make a fine Prince. I'm so glad I picked you."
"Me, too. Now let me show you these proposals, and let's make our nation a place to be proud of."
Chapter 40
They spent all night talking about how to fix the gladiatorial games. Connall had gone through every law, looking for ideas, and the resulting paperwork was impressive. When the wine made her groggy, Leyli convinced him to bring it into the bedroom, where they lay side by side, like friends, and kept reading. It served to wrinkle the sheets and rumple the covers, and was much more comfortable than sitting up through the night.
It also broke the tension between them. Laying in bed, there was still no chemistry. Side by side, their shoulders brushing as they shared a page, Leyli felt no more attracted to Connall than she did to Astrid, but almost as comfortable. When his robe kept twisting, he tossed it away. With his pale, bare chest visible, Leyli discarded hers to make him feel less self conscious.
That led to a display of scars. She pulled at the neckline and tugged at the arm hole, showing the edges. Considering that she'd stood before hundreds of people in so much less, it made no sense to be embarrassed, and yet she was. Connall understood, and pushed at the edge of his pants to show his lean hip, and the birthmark that only his lover would know about. It was a step, and hour by hour, they were learning to trust each other just a bit more.
Leyli didn't know when she fell asleep, but the sound of someone in the other room startled her awake. It took a moment to remember why the bed felt strange, but the voice she recognized. It was Temotio, and the scent of food drifted through the door. With a groan she pulled herself out of bed.
"Morning, Highness," Temotio said as she walked in. "Should I send for Astrid? Connall said you didn't get much sleep." Something in his tone dared her to deny it.
"Please." She rubbed at the crust in her eyes. "And we didn't. Someone's wedding present took all night to read."
"Told you," Connall said. "And I need a couch in this room for the next time she stays. Sleeping in a chair has tortured my neck."
Leyli winced. "Sorry."
He just waved it away. "I didn't plan on falling asleep. Least we get the day off to 'recover' from our night."
With a laugh, she dropped into a chair and began filling her plate. Temotio left them alone but Astrid arrived not long after. As soon as she was fed and dressed, Leyli headed back to her room, making a scene of bidding her new husband a good morning. They walked slowly, and just after they passed a matron, Astrid asked if Leyli was sore, or wanted a bath. Armando choked back a laugh, but the woman heard, sucking in a shocked breath as she walked faster to spread her gossip.
When she was finally back in her suite, Astrid winked and waved, then disappeared into her own room. Leyli headed for her bed, not even caring that she was still dressed. When she stepped into the room, her gut twisted. Tristan lifted his head and smiled, pulling down the blankets for her to join him.
"No one expects you to be up before noon. Your father stopped me in the hall last night and made a point to apologize for the boring day I'd have waiting for you to wake up."
"Did you sleep?"
He patted the mattress. "Not much. Tossed and turned mostly, but I wanted to be here when you got back." Like she'd always been for him.
The last of her worries fled, and Leyli stripped out of her simple dress and slid in beside him. Like they had so many times in the games, he pulled her against his chest and just held her. She burrowed her head into his muscles and breathed in the scent of him. This was where she belonged.
"We spent the night studying laws, trying to fix the games."
"I know," he soothed. "It's ok, Ley. I don't care if you consummated your marriage." He kissed her head then pushed back the loose strands around her face. "I know you didn't, but if you do, it's ok. How many times did you wait, refusing to hate me? I just want you to trust me enough that no matter what, we can talk about it. That's the vow I made to my wife."
"I didn't."
He nodded, looking deep into her eyes. "I know. I just had to say that. I lay here all night thinking about what it must have been like for you. I was screwing some woman I didn't love, and you never made me feel bad for it. All your life, men told you that you had to wait while they got what they wanted, and it's wrong. Then, when the situation is reversed, you're worried I'll be angry at you for doing little more than talking?" He kissed her softly. "But I won't be. I'll try to be as good to you as you were to me. I'll also do my best to make it hurt as little as possible."
"I don't think he wants to. I mean, he never tried. He treats me the same way Astrid does."
Tristan nodded. "That doesn't mean things won't change in the future. I don't mean Connall. I'm even starting to like the guy. I mean court. You may n
eed a servant to see something, or someone else. I don't want you to refuse to do what we have to because you're worried about me."
"I promise." She wrapped her arms around his back and pressed her head against him. "I love you, Tristan."
"I love you, too, pup. You're going to be the greatest queen the world has ever seen." Then he kissed her temple. "Maybe. Our daughter might be better."
"So sure it won't be a son?"
His mouth moved to her neck. "Nope. I just want you to know that a beautiful little girl won't break my heart. Or five."
She leaned back with a giggle. "Five? Your mother told me about stretch marks."
"Battle scars from childbirth. Just as lovely as all the rest of them." He stretched lower to kiss the lines on her belly. "And maybe, when they're old enough, we can even tell them about me?"
"I swear." She slid her fingers into his hair and pushed him lower. "Our babies will know who their father is."
"Ours," he breathed, then kissed again. Her only answer was to moan.
Chapter 41
Leyli was almost finished dressing that evening, when the door to her sitting room burst open. "Check the Princess!" Horace snapped.
Before the men surged into her room, both she and Tristan had weapons in hand. Edwyn and Horace rushed through the door relaxing at the sight of Leyli. She looked at Tristan, the question on her face. It was Edwyn who answered it.
"A man broke into the King's suite. We can't find Temotio."
"Dad?" Leyli gasped, grabbing her second sword to belt on her waist. "Is he ok?"
"Minor cuts," Horace said, but Leyli was already moving, Tristan right behind her. "Fuck. Stay with them," he told Edwyn.