by MarieMedina
He set an easy pace for the ride back. When he arrived, no one seemed to be around. He knocked on the door, but no one answered. He checked the barn and scanned the fields. As he was walking toward the south, a voice caught his ear. He followed it and soon found the source. “Hello?” he called down the hill he’d reached the top of, trying to get the attention of the person sprawled down there.
The man lying there turned and looked up at him. “Be careful. The ground is slick up there under the shade of the trees. I fell all the way down.”
“I’ll be right down. Are you hurt? I couldn’t understand what you were calling out.” He could see the skids in the mud, so he walked back into the sun and slowly made his way down the hill.
“Just my ankle, I think.” The man’s eyes grew wide as Nathaniel approached. “Oh! I thought the king wasn’t coming until tomorrow, Your Highness.”
“That was the plan, but the steward told me you were looking to dig a new well. I’m good at elemental magic, too.” He knelt and looked at the man’s legs. “This one, I take it?” he said, pointing to the right one.
The man nodded and leaned over to try to remove his boot, which was already unlaced.
“Let me help,” he said when he saw the man wince. “You’re Garren, I’m assuming?”
“Oh, yes, Your Highness,” he said as Nathaniel carefully removed his boot and sock.
Nathaniel smiled. “You don’t have to call me that, especially not when I’m about to rip your trousers open.” He threw the younger man a wink.
Garren laughed, turning a bit pink. “All right.”
Nathaniel ripped the leg of the trousers along the seam just enough to let him look at the ankle. “I’m also a pretty decent healer.” He touched the swollen area gently. “If you trust me, that is.” He looked up just in time to catch the interest in Garren’s eyes.
“I trust you,” Garren said softly, more color coming to his cheeks.
Nathaniel smiled at him before focusing on the ankle. “It’s not bad at all. Probably hurts enough to make it feel like a big deal.” He rubbed his hands together and took a deep breath before placing them back on Garren’s ankle. His eyes slid closed as he let the power build and flow out of him.
When he was done, he turned Garren’s ankle every which way he could to test it out. “Anything hurt?”
“No. I’m think I’m fine now.”
When Nathaniel looked up into Garren’s eyes, he went still. He wanted to kiss Garren, and he could see that Garren wanted that kiss. But he found he couldn’t move forward. He inched back and stood up to extend a hand to Garren. The younger man rose to his feet easily, though he kept hold of Garren’s hand.
“Thank you,” Garren said, standing very close.
“You’re more than welcome.” He drew back. “So, where were you thinking of putting the well?”
Garren hesitated but seemed to get the hint. “There’s plenty of open space toward the east. It’s just a matter of finding the water.”
“Then let’s get to it.”
Garren nodded and knelt to put his sock and boot back on, letting Nathaniel help him up again but releasing his hand right away this time.
As they walked to the east, Nathaniel kept glancing over at Garren. He felt attraction but no spark at all. He realized that the second step of moving on wasn’t going to be as easy or simple as the first one.
* * * *
Reese glanced up at the man riding by and stopped when he realized who it was. Nathaniel was covered in dirt from the top of his head to the soles of his boots.
“What happened to him?” Gretchen muttered from beside Reese before running out toward the road and waving. “Are you all right? Did Darius throw you?” she asked.
Reese wanted to go inside, but he stayed put, as much to hear the answer to the question as to prove he wasn’t afraid of being around Nathaniel.
“I’m fine. I was helping to dig a well. The first steps, at least.”
Reese stopped. “I thought they were starting tomorrow morning,” he called without thinking.
Nathaniel glanced his way, briefly. “We only managed to get the hole dug today. There’ll still be plenty of work tomorrow.” Nathaniel had stopped by the gate, but he focused on Gretchen after answering Reese’s question. “Alexander was supposed to help them pick a spot, but I was available. I’m as good with the elements as Alexander is. I’m trying to help him as much as I can.” He smiled down at Gretchen. “It was great fun actually.”
“Great fun, you say?” Gretchen said with a laugh. “Never heard well digging called that before.”
“It was interesting. Garren explained everything to me as we went. A few men from the next farm helped, and we managed to dig deep enough and put in some supports before it got too late.”
“How is Garren doing?” Gretchen asked.
Reese turned back to the chair he’d been repairing, wishing his sister would just let the prince go on about his business.
“He seems well. He’d fallen down a hill and sprained his ankle when I got there, but he let me heal it. I think it embarrassed him, at first, because I had to touch him.”
Reese dropped his hammer, glancing over to see if they’d noticed. Garren was handsome. Naïve but handsome. He’d probably been quite taken with the dashing prince who’d come to his rescue. He glanced back up, suddenly wondering if all that dirt had come from working or from rolling in the hay afterwards. He’d sent Nathaniel home almost that dirty a time or two.
“That’s right. I knew one of you had healing powers. Just couldn’t remember which one,” Gretchen said.
“Let the man get on with his duties, Gretchen. Princes don’t have time to linger around gabbing,” Reese said, staring over at her.
Nathaniel turned toward him. “I’ll always have time for any of my people, especially my friends.” He looked away as soon as he was done speaking and smiled down at Gretchen. “Have a good evening.”
“You, too,” Gretchen said.
Reese stared after the man, who had never once before been the first of the two of them to break eye contact, yet today he’d done it twice, barely taking notice of Reese at all. Had it been deliberate, or was he truly that uninterested? Reese looked down at the chair and picked his hammer back up, though he cursed when he realized he must’ve dropped his nail as well.
Gretchen made her way back to the clothesline, eyeing him.
“Not one word,” he said as she pushed the basket of clothes a few inches with her foot.
“I wasn’t going to say anything except that he looks well. Happy. I’m glad of it.” She took the last items down and threw them in her basket before hefting it into her arms and going inside.
He scanned the ground for his nail and finally found it, just as Gretchen poked her head out the kitchen window.
“Look me in the eye and say you don’t love him,” she said.
He looked her in the eye and opened his mouth. But he couldn’t do it.
She sighed. “Everyone knows he’s free to love as he chooses now, and I’ve seen more than one person flirting with him already. He deserves happiness, and it’s going to find him. I can’t tell you what to do, but pretty soon, he’ll have moved on enough that no amount of begging will win him back.” She straightened and backed away from the window. “Not even if you beg him as much as he begged you.”
Reese cast his gaze down the road, where Nathaniel and his horse were a tiny speck. And then he knelt down and finished repairing the chair before him.
Chapter Five
Two Weeks Later
Nathaniel found himself staring at the floor of Alexander’s study yet again. Only this time, his brother wasn’t there to steady him. Sebastian fidgeted, perhaps wondering if he’d done the right thing.
“It’s none of my business, but I just couldn’t keep it a secret,” Sebastian said.
“I understand. I told you and Alexander that things were settled between me and Reese, but I’m sure you both saw my str
uggle those first days.” He sat back and looked over at his brother-in-law. “Did Ronan say who it is?”
“No. He only mentioned that it’s a man. He asked if I met Reese when we went to talk to Gretchen. I said no, and he didn’t ask anything else. I believe he’s going to tell both men today.”
Nathaniel rubbed his neck, feeling tension building there. “I don’t know if you’ve broken a rule or not, but … thank you for telling me. At least I’ll be prepared.”
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“I will.” Nathaniel made himself rise to his feet and leave the room. Well over a month had passed since he’d told Reese he wanted all or nothing. They’d only seen each other twice in all that time, and they’d only spoken to each other one of those times. Being near the man still made his heart thud, but soon he would have to stop those feelings for good.
As he made his way out the gardens, he caught of glimpse of his mother and Edmund coming inside. Edmund had been Grayden’s steward. And for many years, the queen’s secret lover. Nathaniel had always had mixed feelings about their affair, until his father turned on them. Now, he could see how happy his mother and Edmund made each other. He didn’t know if they would marry or not, as the two of them didn’t seem to care one way or another. Edmund had aided and protected the former queen when the conflict began, more than earning Alexander’s approval.
Two people who weren’t fated to one another certainly can be happy. I only need to find the right person.
He made his way to the balcony, and just below him, he saw one of the tutors reading to a group of the servants’ children. They seemed to all be about nine or ten years old, and the lesson they were being read was a historical one. Nathaniel stood and listened for a moment before moving to his left to head down into the garden.
The heaviness returned to his chest. Would Reese love his cariad? Would the other man love him? Reese would certainly keep the other man satisfied in bed, unless they somehow proved incompatible in that way. Nathaniel had never had another lover who could work his body the way Reese always had. He’d found, in Reese’s arms, that he enjoyed things he would never have imagined himself even trying. The past year stretched out behind him, filled with many lonely nights. The ache had dulled, but it still remained. His head kept trying to get control of his heart and his body, but it felt pointless some days.
But would I actually take him back? Believe any promises he made?
Nathaniel sighed because he couldn’t answer that question. In a few hours, it might not even matter. If Reese and his cariad took to each other, Nathaniel would have to get used to seeing Reese with another man.
* * * *
Reese heard Gretchen call him a second time. “I’m coming!” he yelled down the stairs. He rolled his eyes when he heard her loud exhale. He loved his sister, but soon they would drive each other crazy. Now she was free, perhaps she’d marry before long. There were more than a few widowers in the area with small children who would love to have an energetic young wife. It wouldn’t be the same as being a princess, but Gretchen probably wouldn’t have liked that anyway. He thought for the hundredth time what it actually would’ve been like if Nathaniel had married Gretchen.
I would definitely have gone insane by now, having him so near. He’s in my thoughts enough as it is.
The past few weeks hadn’t been his best, especially with Gretchen’s watchful eye on him. She could read into every sigh and look and gesture. Sometimes she was right, but he’d never admit that to her. He wanted Nathaniel back—but could he give the other man what he wanted? Be what he needed? Reese had always assumed love would grow over time with whoever he was fated to be with, whether it was a man or a woman. Sex and love had always been separate. But now? He longed to talk to Nathaniel and hear him laugh nearly as much as he longed to sink into his body and make him cry out.
He shook himself from those thoughts and finally made his way downstairs to see who had come calling. A man who looked vaguely familiar stood in the kitchen with Gretchen, and after a few seconds, Reese realized it was one of the seers. He smoothed his shirt and tried to smile, though he didn’t want to. Seers and visions had caused more than enough trouble lately. “Sorry to keep you. I wasn’t dressed.” He held up his hand. “Cut myself and got blood everywhere. Had to get my clothes off so they could soak.”
Gretchen turned and looked at him. “And where are they?”
“Hmmm? Oh, guess I forgot them.”
“I’ll see to them,” she said, not seeming that put out. Was she perhaps trying to leave the two men alone? What was the seer here to tell him? He tensed as he wondered if it might have something to do with Nathaniel. Had there been another vision with him and the prince both in it?
“No trouble at all,” the man said. “I’m Ronan, one of the seers, and I’m here to tell you that your cariad has been found. He works in the stables at the palace. His name is Adam, and he says you two already know each other.”
Reese frowned. He didn’t know anyone named Adam, except for a ten-year-old boy who made deliveries for the butcher. “Adam? I’m not sure I remember him.”
“He’s agreed to meet today, if you’re willing. He said you can come to the stables at any time.”
“What does he look like?”
“Pale, dark hair, very light green eyes.”
Ronan nodded slowly. “I think maybe I do remember.” He couldn’t put a face to that description at all, but he didn’t always ask the names of the people he talked to in the tavern or at festivals. “Thank you for coming to let me know.”
“Do you have any questions?”
Reese didn’t, but he felt he should ask something. “Was it … um, was the vision interesting in any way? You all seemed baffled by Gretchen’s.” He pressed his lips together, half wishing he hadn’t added that last part. Yet, the other half of him knew that was exactly why he’d asked the question. He shuffled his feet, then stilled himself so the other man wouldn’t read anything into his movements the way Gretchen kept doing.
“Not baffled so much as not sure how to interpret it.” Ronan paused, his eyes sharp and watchful. “What was your take?”
I should’ve just said no and let him leave. “My take? It’s a bit blunt.”
“I’m interested, if you’re willing to share. We can only judge based on the feelings we sense and the facts we’re given.”
Reese wanted to take joy in shocking the man, but he felt nothing as he said, “The prince and I used to fuck each other senseless. The affair went on for several months. Having him as my brother-in-law would’ve been more than a little awkward. I’m sure that’s why I was a … factor in the vision.”
Ronan nodded as if he got replies like that every day. “Ah. Yes, that would be uncomfortable. I see your point.” He cleared his throat. “As far as your vision, it was rather straightforward. You were in a tavern, and you saw Adam across the room. You walked over to him and kissed him, and that’s when the bond came through to me. You two left together, and then the vision faded.”
How boring. Is that really all there is to these visions? Do they really hold the power our ancestors said they do? Instead of voicing doubts some would call disrespectful, he said, “So we likely met in a tavern? That seems about right.”
“It’s the most likely thing, yes.” Ronan smiled. “Anything else?”
“No, nothing else.” He smoothed his shirt again. “I guess I’ll check in with my sister and then head to the palace.”
“A good idea. Best of luck,” Ronan said before letting himself out.
Reese watched the door close. Luck? What a weird thing to say. We’re fated. We’ll either like each other or not.
Gretchen came back down with his clothes in hand and made her way over to the washtub. She tossed the clothes in and then hefted it to carry it outside.
“Let me,” he said, taking it from her.
“So, do you remember this man? Or not?” she asked as she opened the back door f
or him.
“Didn’t our parents teach you not to eavesdrop?”
“They taught us both, little good it did.”
Reese set the washtub down in the yard, near the well. “I have no idea who he is. But if he knew me just by my name, I must have met him. There isn’t another Reese in this village except for the miller’s new baby.”
Gretchen said nothing as she drew some water. She set the bucket by the tub and then sprinkled in a few soap flakes before pouring the water in. She still said nothing as she went back inside, only to return with the tea kettle. She added steaming water to the tub and then set the kettle down on a nearby rock. “You know what it is, don’t you? I think it’s obvious.”
“What? And why is it so obvious?” He shrugged. “There are dozens of places and times I could’ve met someone fleetingly and forgotten their name.”
“You have a point there, but it’s not exactly the same as the one I’m going to make.” She frowned deeply as she said, “It’s some man you slept with who meant so little to you that you never asked his name and can’t place his face.”
Reese pressed his lips together to keep from saying something cutting. His stomach turned a bit as he considered the possibility she was right. “I won’t know until I meet him.”
“But according to him, you’ve already met.”
“Then when I see him again, it’ll come to me.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I look all right?” He didn’t particularly want to go anymore, but neither did he want to stay here and continue this conversation.
“Yes, you look fine.” She shook her head and then came over and wrapped her arms around him.
“What are you doing?”
“Hugging you. What does it look like?”
“Why?”
“Because I love you.” She drew back. “Go meet this man and see what’s there.”
He couldn’t help feeling suspicious. “So, just like that, my cariad is found and you give up telling me to go to the prince?”