by J. C. Owens
Taldan wondered vaguely whether he would grow to be as emotionless and withdrawn as his own father as well.
He glanced at Naral and shook his head. His pestiferous friend would never allow him to get to that point, and certainly Zaran would have a hand in keeping him level-headed, in contact with reality rather than perceived threats.
He sighed and took another grape. Some part of him had been convinced that he would definitively identify his bondmate today, that the matter would be decided and over.
Instead, he felt confused, unable to decipher what exactly he was even looking for. The bondmate history was shrouded in mystery and folklore, neither of which he particularly believed in.
Images of curly black hair and vivid green eyes slid into his thoughts, and he thrust them away with a growl.
He wanted facts, clear information, neither of which was available to him in this matter.
Taldan accepted a glass of wine Naral had poured him.
This was far more complicated than he had anticipated. Tomorrow would bring the final meetings to a close, and then he would have to make a choice. With any luck, something would jump out at him, he would have an epiphany, and the matter would be closed at last.
Day two of the meetings began bright and early. Taldan had a lot to do, and he wanted the meetings to be over by lunch.
Antan Gertem, the artist from Carlenvae.
The man was painfully quiet, but he responded readily to Taldan’s questions, showing a sharp mind. He had a few questions of his own, mostly about various sites within Persis, including art galleries and the school of art that was highly respected.
Taldan brought up the question of whether Antan would be willing to illustrate various texts that he was working on, and that brought an immediate response. The artist opened up, and they discussed the matter for almost the whole of the meeting. In the end, Taldan certainly respected the man’s works but knew little to nothing of him personally. However, logically that shouldn’t matter. The artist could be very valuable in regard to the treatise and studies that Taldan wrote.
Valsen Maltes, the mage from the far eastern territory of Haes, was a very forceful character. He was respectful but blunt in his questions and concerns of what it meant to be a bondmate. He was not hesitant in making his own views known. When they got into a conversation about magic itself, he was clearly extremely interested in the emperor’s magic and what exactly it was capable of. He was somewhat disappointed to find out that Taldan did not yet have access to that knowledge. Taldan wondered dispassionately if the man really expected to be told such things on short acquaintance. He was clearly talented in his own studies and seemed more than eager to work with Taldan to discover what their magic combined might achieve. It roused a sense of caution in Taldan, a feeling that the man’s interest was much more detailed and specific than Valsen was revealing.
It would not be the first time that others had sought the secrets of the emperor’s power. Yes, the man might aid Taldan in becoming more powerful still. Or he might be seeking that power for himself.
If so, he was incredibly clumsy in his overtures. Did he not think that Taldan had seen such things before? The fool was hardly the first to try such a trick. Taldan might be very curious about the magic he would be inheriting when his father’s powers passed to him with the title, but he was not willing to have a bondmate whose ambition could not be trusted.
He had cut the meeting short, having already summarily dismissed Valsen from his list of potentials.
Now he was about to have his meeting with Raine Yoldis, noble born, youngest son of the family that had been put in power by his father after the empire had conquered Odenar. It remained to be seen what the diplomats would find upon their arrival at the border territory, but Taldan was prepared for any eventuality. His family had given Raine’s family power. They could just as easily sweep it away.
Raine bowed deeply, and Taldan thought of Zaran’s comment that the young man held him in great esteem.
He waved a hand, gesturing to Raine to seat himself in one of the comfortable chairs across from Taldan. The warmth of the fireplace was welcome this late in the season, and he was glad he’d had it lit when he saw Raine shiver. They might be having a warm fall, but Odenar was temperate all year long. Raine must find it very chilly here.
He found himself offering a blanket next to him, and Raine accepted it with a shy smile that made Taldan feel a predatory interest. The young man just screamed prey.
Raine seated himself, then seemed to draw upon an inner well of strength, sitting up straight and managing to meet Taldan’s eyes squarely.
“I want to apologize for what occurred between my brother and I. It was ill done and certainly showed a lack of respect for our invitation to attend the Choosing.”
Taldan’s eyebrow rose. “You are referring to the incident in which you were hurt, through no fault of your own, by your brother? One does not apologize for an event which one did not create.”
He sat back, realizing that once again, this candidate was not like the others. His actions and comments were so completely unexpected that Taldan could not help but be intrigued.
Raine
Raine had tried to prepare himself for this moment. Being in a room, alone, with the man he most admired. A healthy dose of fear was mingled with that admiration, but then, this was the High Imperial Prince of Anrodnes, the world’s largest country. Given their history, it was only prudent to fear the colossus that was the empire.
Soon, very soon, this man would ascend to the throne, becoming the most powerful man alive.
Raine was glad he had had the opportunity to meet him again, to sit face to face, this time with no foolishness between them.
“By reports, you have been poring over my notes. What do you make of them?” The prince’s voice was cool, calm, but his eyes were intense, soaking in every nuance of Raine’s responses.
Raine almost sagged with relief. This was a subject he could expound on with a degree of intelligence. He just had to remember not to get too enthusiastic. Be as calm and refined as the prince.
“I was interested in your theories on volcanic eruptions and earthquakes being linked. I had never thought such a thing possible. Now I will record events in Odenar and send you the information. Perhaps, it might give you further insight or help your research in a small way. I would be proud to contribute. I feel as if we can make our houses and buildings safer if we understand more of earthquakes, their causes and effects.”
Taldan merely nodded, nothing beyond that.
Raine sucked in a breath. Nobody had ever said this was going to be easy. This must be beyond annoying to a man who had so much to do and so many needed his talents and knowledge.
“Are there questions you wish to ask me, High Prince Taldan?” He sounded painfully polite to his own ears.
“What do you think you could bring to me in the way of useful talent?”
The bluntness of the prince’s question was welcome. Not having to dance around nuances was a welcome change from what he endured at home.
“Not knowing you well, I cannot say what I might bring.” Raine frowned and considered for a long moment. “I suppose I would adapt to whatever was needed. I am quite good at changing to suit various peoples’ needs.”
That didn’t seem to impress the prince. Raine felt heat creeping up his neck.
“What would you expect from a relationship from me?” Prince Taldan asked.
An erotic image flashed across Raine’s thoughts, and he flinched before blushing bright red. Where in the world had that come from? He had not even thought of the imperial prince in that way, yet, but…
He forced the newfound awareness down deep and brought his mind back into focus with difficulty.
“I really don’t have specific expectations of anything. I know very little of the bondmate experience, beyond what little I have read in various texts, and those could not be verified as truth.” He looked up and met those cold eyes. �
��I would like to believe that you would guide me in whatever direction serves you and the empire most.”
The intensity in the prince’s stare deepened, and Raine wistfully longed to believe that there was a touch of heat in that look, a hint that he might want Raine as more than a symbol.
Raine scoffed to himself. What a fool he could be. To imagine that man so powerful, who could have anything and anyone at his fingertips, would find the faintest bit of interest in someone like Raine.
“That is a very general answer, Raine. Is that what you think I want to hear?”
Raine shrugged helplessly, then cursed himself for the revealing gesture. “It’s all I can give you, Your Highness. I find myself lost here. I knew that things were very different in the capital city, knew that I would be out of place, but I truly didn’t realize exactly how much.” He shot a quick glance at the prince’s emotionless expression. “I don’t mean any insult. The people here have been more than friendly, even when I didn’t understand a word they said, and Isnay has been…a friend…if that is not too presumptuous on my part.”
The prince seemed to relax ever so slightly. “Isnay is a gem beyond price. He has a good, solid head on his shoulders, and if he likes you, then there must be something very worthy inside you.”
Raine gave a small, embarrassed smile. “I think he is just remarkably patient.” He paused. “I would like to tell you what I truly think of the bondmate position, if that would be acceptable?”
The prince nodded, a hint of skepticism in his eyes.
“I know that the position needs someone who can give a great deal to the empire at large, and you specifically. That only makes sense. I cannot, in any degree, see myself having much to offer. The other five candidates, at least in my eyes, seem to have far more worldly experience than I. To make things easier for you, as you try to narrow the Choosing down, I would ask that you take me from the list.”
The prince’s eyes widened for the barest moment, then narrowed. “You are withdrawing?”
“I would not call it withdrawing, Your Highness. That denotes a lack of respect of this process. I know how precious your time is, and how disruptive this entire matter must be. If it streamlines it in any way, I would be glad to step aside.” He drew a deep, stabilizing breath. “I would ask, at this time, since I may not speak to you again, if I could get permission to stay here, in Persis, and go to college. At least until you see fit to send me home again. I would be grateful for any time at all.”
Taldan
Taldan eyed the young man before him, wondering how someone who seemed so ingenious and unworldly could surprise him. Nothing had been clear-cut with Raine from the day he arrived. He had constantly kept people off center, in his actions, in his words.
Perhaps he was exactly what he seemed. A young man from a distant country who had been abused and beaten down and now had the chance to fly free.
Taldan could give him that easily enough, and if his own plans came true, he could take Raine and make him ruler of Odenar, a loyal man who would obey Taldan’s strictures. He would be of far more use in that way than as a bondmate.
Although, bedding him would be no hardship. The memory of that warm form in his arms, the tousled curls upon his shoulder, brushing his cheek… He shifted in his chair, unnerved by the sudden need that tightened his body. It was odd and somewhat disturbing that he would respond in such a fashion. He prided himself on control, and when he did need sexual favors, he had the harem to hand.
He did not count himself an overly sexual being, save for the occasional distracting urge he used the harem to quell.
Yet, something in this young man made him quicken in ways he had never experienced before.
It would be good when he was gone and temptation was out of reach.
“I grant you leave to remain here then,” he finally said. “Isnay knows you wish to stay?”
Raine nodded. His eyes were bright, and he blinked away moisture, obviously overcome by the fact that he now had royal permission to stay in Persis after the Choosing. It showed the depth of his need for learning, something Taldan could well sympathize with. Perhaps it would not be so difficult to have Raine work with him on a project regarding earthquake safety and architecture. The young man seemed intelligent and without airs that would make his presence annoying. He would think about eventually bringing the young man into his lab, perhaps making him an assistant. In the meantime, he had narrowed down the candidates to four, and that was progress.
Tomorrow he would make his final decision.
Raine
Raine left the room feeling both giddy with relief and strangely saddened.
It made no sense at all. He had known from the beginning that he would not be chosen, and yet, with the chance completely gone, he felt strangely hollow.
Isnay was waiting for him in the hall, speaking to one of the Shadows guarding the door. When Raine appeared, Isnay turned to him, then seemed to pause at whatever he saw in the young man’s expression.
“You told him that you wanted off the list, didn’t you?” he asked shrewdly, and Raine saw one of the Shadows give him a sharp glance, as though the question came as a surprise.
“I did,” Raine managed a weak grin. “I think His Highness was relieved to have one less candidate to worry about.”
“Perhaps.” Isnay’s tone was strangely disappointed, as though he had still held hope that Raine would be chosen.
Raine shook the thought off as Isnay grasped his arm and drew him away down the hallway. “Come, we need to get you signed up for the college.”
Raine cast a look over his shoulder, feeling strangely melancholy as he walked further away from the imperial prince. It was doubtful he would have the chance to see him again. All the same, he would never forget him…
CHAPTER TEN
Zaran
“Two down!” Naral crowed, grinning at Zaran. “Tomorrow this mess will be over, and we can start getting the chosen candidate molded into what’s needed before the coronation.” Naral clapped Isnay on the shoulder and offered him a glass of wine.
Zaran watched him with hooded eyes. To his surprise, Isnay looked disappointed rather than relieved. Zaran knew that Naral’s cousin had spent a great deal of time with Raine. Obviously, the young man from Odenar had made a favorable impression on Isnay. Something that was difficult to do because Isnay was an experienced diplomat and courtier. He had heard it all, seen it all, knew all the tricks that people tried, simply to get closer to the emperor-to-be.
He felt a sliver of concern. Had they, with their initial prejudice, hardened Taldan’s mind against Raine from the start?
He shored up his resolve. They had chosen the best four, and that was only confirmed by Taldan immediately getting rid of two they had not agreed upon. He wished he could say that he was comfortable with their decision, but they had done the job as best possible. Only fate and Taldan himself could take it from here.
Naral began speaking with the diplomat who had been assigned to candidate Valsen and was safely engaged. The head of Persis security’s dislike of Raine was not conducive to any measured conversations about the candidate from Odenar.
“So he’s going to be going to college here, then?” Zaran murmured softly as Isnay sank down into a chair next to him.
“He will be staying with me, and I found him employment at the college itself, at the scriptorium. He will make enough to scrape by.”
Zaran turned his head slowly. Surely he had to have misheard. “He’s staying with you? You love your solitude. I can’t imagine you taking someone into your space.”
Isnay grimaced, then took a deep swallow of wine before answering. “You try to spend time with Raine and not want to do anything you can to help him. He just pulls you in. He is sweet, intelligent, but with a core of iron that has kept him going, yet not made him sullen and distrusting. He is an enigma.”
“I’m sure I could find a place for him so that you do not have to have a stranger in your home.”
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Isnay gave him a grateful glance but shook his head. “Thank you, Your Highness, that is kind of you, but I feel like I want to help him on a deeper level. I’m not sure that he would do well alone, in a strange world, with no one to keep any eye on him. For now, I will go as planned, but I will keep your offer in mind.”
Isnay paused, twirling the glass between his fingertips. “I find myself strangely disappointed that His Imperial Highness did not choose Raine. Something about the two of them felt right.”
Zaran smiled. “You and Hredeen both. I doubt Hredeen is going to be pleased with Taldan over this.”
Isnay gave a long sigh.
“I just feel like a mistake has been made. I just don’t know by whom.”
* * *
Taldan
Taldan pinched the bridge of his nose. He had been making charts detailing the pros and cons of the four remaining candidates, and he now felt more muddled than when he had started the whole process.
He didn’t like being muddled. It was not a common state of affairs for him. Yet another reason why he wanted this over and done with.
Each of the remaining four had their values, and nothing about them seemed to stand out enough to make an instant decision. His usual logical methods of decision making seemed to be sadly lacking in these circumstances. He had to decide which candidate would bring the most to the empire while considering their personalities and choosing one who would not, in the end, drive him quite mad.
He knew the bondmate was supposed to be a sexual partner to the emperor, and so he tried to consider that as well, but none of them really made him feel desire in any form. None of them but Raine.