by Shea, K. M.
“Seer Ringali is married. He has two children. The eldest is only a few years younger than I. Furthermore Ringali is a title, not a surname,” Tari said, her eyes wide in horror as she gaped at Arion.
“A title? I thought elves did not have titles.”
“We don’t among nobility. There are, however, in the ranks of Evening Stars. Ringali is one of a handful of titles. When Seer Ringali took me on as his protégé it meant he will pass his title on to me, and I will become the next Ringali Evening Star. He is my trainer, my mentor. You thought we were in love?” Tari said, her voice shrill and accusing.
Arion sighed, as if a great burden had lifted off him. “I am very gladdened to hear that.”
“Romantically involved, the horror! Arion how could you think such a thing? Why on earth would I be attracted to a fashionable weapon wielding, sadistic narcissist that is almost double my age?! Next time you have an insipidly stupid thought, ask me to verify it!” Tari said, still shuddering.
“Be quiet and eat your egg.”
Tari grumbled but did as she was told. “Any news of Crown Prince Benjimir’s punishment?”
Arion shook his head. “Not yet.”
“I see. Continue then, what other signs did you see in the Crown Prince that made you realize he was in love?”
“He was the Crown Princess’s shadow and constant companion. If she was at a tea, banquet, or state event, so was he. If Crown Princess Yvrea was moved by an occasion, so was he. He paid meticulous attention to whomever she associated with, and bristled whenever a male of either race approached her.”
Tari ran her tongue across her teeth to rid them of egg. “I suppose that is true. I thought it suspicious that he popped in on Princess Claire’s evening tea that first night I stormed it.”
“He also is one of the few people I have ever seen that dares to touch his Nodusigm partner. There is no formal rule about physical contact between our people, but mostly bond partners are conservative in the amount of physical affection they display. When I began to have my suspicions about Benjimir I followed the trail of our irritations. My position in the Honor Guard is ultimately under his power.”
“Impressive, I can certainly see how you made captain,” Tari said, staring at Arion’s goblet of water.
Arion shrugged as he passed the goblet over to Tari’s delight. “As I said I was not particularly observant in my notations. I merely noticed similar behaviors in his conduct to my own.”
“I don’t comprehend that piece. Part,” Tari said, correcting herself before she took a sip of water. She settled back into her chair, mollified. “In no way do you and Crown Prince Benjimir act at all alike.”
“In your eyes, perhaps,” Arion shrugged.
“Fine then, explain to me the similarities,” Tari said into the cup before taking another drink.
“We both care greatly for our Nodusigm partners.”
“Hah! That does not count. I care greatly for my partner as well. Does that mean I am similar to the Crown Prince?” Tari scoffed.
“Your definition of care greatly varies from mine,” Arion said, resting an elbow on his desk.
Tari frowned. “Are you implying I care less for you than you care for me?”
“No. You care for me because I am your partner. I care for you, specifically,” Arion said.
Tari sputtered. “What? Oh come now, I care for you!”
“Perhaps, but all of Haven knows you were over the moon when you found out you were to be bonded. It wouldn’t have mattered to you if you ended up with Eric, or Claire, or me. You were determined to befriend your Nodusigm partner,” Arion said, sorting documents. “It’s probably why they placed you with me in the first place. They knew you would try your hardest no matter who you were stuck with.”
“I cannot deny I was excited that I was chosen, and yes in the beginning I forced myself to trudge through what I perceived as rude behavior from you because you were my partner. However, since then I thought I had made it abundantly clear that I treasure our bond because of you, not that I treasure you because of our bond,” Tari said, setting the goblet of water back on Arion’s desk with a clack.
“I did not say you do not treasure me. There is no reason to be upset,” Arion said with an arched eyebrow.
“Yes, there is a reason to be upset,” Tari said, sitting up straight in her chair. How dare Arion sit there and tell her he cared for her more than she for him when she was in love with him! Was the man dense? Had he fallen from his horse too many times? “I do not like being told my affections appear to be shallow.”
“I never used the word shallow.”
“You implied your degree of affection is much higher. That is nearly the same!”
“It is not the same, and you still have no reason to be upset. It is the truth.”
Tari rocketed out of her chair. “I don’t believe you!”
Arion spread his hands wide. “You don’t believe me? Tari, half the palace knows it! That drabble my self-centered sister was spouting can be summarized to this: Everyone sees the esteem I place in you, and then they see the affection you hold for me and it is considerably less. They mock me for my misplaced devotion.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Tari said, holding her head high.
“How could you not? Since we’ve been bonded everything you’ve done has been motivated for the good of our people. From meeting with the Translators’ Circle to learning Calnoric, your reason for working has always been for the relationship between Calnor and Lessa. Everything I do is for you alone,” Arion said, also rising. He did not shout, but his voice was quiet with an edge of anger to it.
“Is that really what you think?” Tari asked, taking a step back as she shook her head.
“I have shielded you from my family, I am prepared to remain in Haven for the sake of our friendship, if there is anything in my power to do for you, I will do it. In our supposedly sacred bond my degree of attention has been expressed as reading your emotions. Only you. You, on the other hand, are able to communicate with an entire race.”
“Do you think what I did today was motivated by the best interests of our people?” Tari asked, her posture becoming perfect in her anger.
“No, that was sheer stupidity.”
“WHAT?”
“Giving into blackmail is never the best plan.”
“He said he would help you, he would help your sister!”
“I want no help from Benjimir of any kind. And blast my sister! She is a spoiled child who is being forced to live with consequences for the first time in her life. She was the one who decided to marry a prince, and she was the one who wanted to be a princess. She can find her own happiness, and blast her if she tries to steal my joy to make her situation better.”
“None of that doesn’t mean I wasn’t operating out of loyalty to you,” Tari said.
Arion held one hand out, palm up. “Have you not just proven my point? Loyalty is not the same as affection.”
Tari couldn’t hold herself back anymore. “Stop it, quiet, shut up you great big brainless thug!” she said before picking up the empty goblet and throwing it on the ground. It clanked against the stone floor and rolled a few paces, the rim newly dented. Tari stared at it, her shoulders heaving with aggravation.
“Feel better?” Arion asked.
“YOU!” Tari said before reaching across the desk and grabbing Arion by his armor. She yanked him in her direction and growled, “Stop it. Stop it! You don’t understand it at all!”
“The fact that you are getting so upset can only mean you see the obvious proof that I am correct,” Arion stiffly said when Tari released him.
Tari glared at him before she burst into a mixture of hysteric giggles and tears. “All of these weeks spent silencing myself and you doubt me?” Her laughs were so consuming she bent over, her arms wrapped around her stomach as she tried to gain a grip on herself. Her carefully constructed control was toppling. She had fought her own cousin, alm
ost left the man she loved for his sake, been forced to hide her feelings like she was some kind of pervert, and now the object of her affections was claiming she was shallow?
“Tari,” Arion said, stepping around the desk. His voice was tight with concern. “Tari,” he repeated, placing a hand on Tari’s shoulder.
Tari lessened her laughing until it was only the occasional snort. “Arion, oh Arion. How wrong you are,” she said, wiping a tear from her eye before meeting Arion’s gaze. “You think my affection is shallow? I have been in love with you since the night I broke into your sister’s tea.”
“Impossible,” Arion said, his voice was soft but as strong as iron. “Not once have I ever detected love in your emotions.”
“Yeah?” Tari drawled in Calnoric, borrowing Grygg’s pronunciation. “I believe you’ve reminded me before: you read emotions, not minds. I can hide things from you, Arion.” Tari reached out and pat Arion on the cheek. “I have to go,” she said, a hysterical giggle escaping her control before she turned and swept out of Arion’s office.
The hallway was dark, illuminated only by the occasional torch, but Tari ran. She didn’t care where she was going, she just had to leave, run, get away. Tari halted and backed up a step when she ran past an intersection, distracted by the silvery moon at the end of the hallway.
She bolted towards the moonlight, choking on the fresh air of the open corridor she swung into. “I think I just ruined everything,” Tari hiccupped, leaning against the railing.
A door closed in one of the hallways behind her, and without thinking Tari kicked her legs over the banister and jumped off the side. She landed gracefully in spite of the one story drop, stumbling only when she tried to stand.
“What else could possibly make this day worse? Maybe a rabid dog will come bite me,” Tari threw her arms in the air, raving in a confusing muddle of elvish and human. “I know, my parents could arrive in Haven to find out their youngest daughter is in love with a human. Oh lands’ sake, my parents will find out,” she groaned, momentarily throwing an arm over her eyes.
Tari stopped stalking along the palace and plunged into the first layer of Rosewood Park. She stopped when she reached a stone bench and sagged against it, mindlessly staring at the trickling fountain in front of her.
Tari shut her eyes, scrunching them together as she swished her hair. “Having High Elf blood is exhausting. The complex emotions are horrid. Why couldn’t I have been more like Kiva?”
“Because if you were more of a Lesser Elf I doubt you ever would have mustered the passion to love me.”
Chapter 12
Red Rope of Fate
Tari’s eyes popped up and she shrieked in surprise. Arion was crouched in front of her, somehow soundlessly spiriting his way in front of her without her hearing it.
Arion nodded before he stood and bent over, picking Tari up.
“Arion, what are you doing, put me down!” Tari begged.
Arion sat on a small patch of grass that was within eyesight of the torches that circled the fountain, but was in a dim section of the gardens.
Tari’s eyes grew increasingly wide as Arion set her down, but did not release her. She squeaked when he tipped her against him. “Arion, what is going on?” Tari asked in a whispered hiss, her face pressed into his neck.
“Nothing. If you’re in love with me I have no reason to hold back,” Arion said.
Tari could feel his voice from the vibrations of his neck. “Pardon?” she said, almost jumping out of her skin when Arion kissed the top of her head.
“I thought I was being obvious. The informalities I took against you were shocking. Just about all of the humans knew, but I suppose I did not think to ask any of the elves if my intentions were apparent.”
“What intentions?” Tari asked, pulling away.
Arion blinked as he looked down at her. “I am courting you. I have been for quite a while.”
Tari stared at him, utterly unamused, and pulled her head back slightly when Arion did not smirk or start laughing. She turned her head and stared at the fountain for a few moments before she jerked her gaze back to Arion. “What?”
“Courting. I’ve been attempting to bedazzle you so I could convince you to marry me. My sisters told me it would never work, but King Petyrr has been a staunch supporter.”
Tari narrowed her eyes in concentration as she stared at the flourishes on Arion’s armor. (It was easier to stare at his armor than to meet his eyes.) “You mean all of my pain…”
“Has been self imposed. I have been in love with you for almost as long.”
Tari slumped into Arion. “Is being in love supposed to be this exhausting?”
“No. We are a special case.”
“I feel awful. All of this ridiculous self control for nothing. And that confession. That confession was horrible! You can’t just nonchalantly say you love me. For elves love is forever! It is an emotion elves hold for one other person, ever. This isn’t trivial to me!”
“Nor is it for me,” Arion said, kissing the side of Tari’s head. “And I apologize if I made you feel that way. Allow me to add to my confession. Tarinthali Ringali, I am, without regrets, your devoted servant. Your wit and intelligence stun me, your beauty eclipses the sun itself. Your warm personality is enticing, and I highly prize your ability to disembowel anyone stupid enough to wrong you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I selfishly want every part of you. It would be an honor, and my greatest desire, if you would allow me to protect, love, and serve you for the rest of our lives. And if you ever flirt with Eric or drink with another man again I am going to slaughter them without hesitation.”
“I accept. I love you Captain Arion Herycian.”
“And I love you Tarinthali Ringali.”
Tari closed her eyes and reveled in the warmth of Arion’s love. The knowledge seemed to wash away the day’s exhaustion, and Tari happily sighed. “You mentioned courting. What did you mean? And what of Eric?”
“Ah yes, Eric. My younger brother knew I had fallen for you, but he persisted in approaching you and flirting. The only reason I didn’t outright stab him was because it might make you suspicious. But now…,” Arion let the suggestion hang with a dark chuckle. He rested his chin on top of Tari’s head before continuing.
“As for courting, I attempted the usual human customs, which was probably my first mistake now that I think of it. I bought you the hair ornaments, I expressed physical affection to you at every opportunity—I was not lying when I said I noticed Benjimir acted as I did. We both despised Seer Ringali for a time.”
“What?”
“I did think for a few days he may be your lover.”
Tari hacked and wordlessly shivered.
Arion chuckled. “My first flawlessly pronounced elvish word was Tarinthali. I lost all hope when I kissed you and you did not respond at all.”
“I was trying hard not to overreact.”
“So you say. I did not mind my new position here in the palace. No one complained that I had an Honor Guard following you most of the waking hours. That’s how I knew you were going to meet Benjimir. I almost went wild when you announced you were leaving.”
Tari pulled out of the embrace to look Arion in the face. “I don’t think I ever thanked you for that. Thank you for helping me. I was worried you were unhappy, Benjimir and Claire seemed to think you were.”
“Only when I thought you were leaving,” Arion said, leaning forward to kiss Tari square on the lips. His mouth was warm and insistent, and his hands followed the curves of her shoulder and back before resting at her waist.
He was much more demanding this time, but Tari could tell he still bridled and tempered his passion for her sake.
Arion kissed her until Tari’s mouth tingled and she felt as if she didn’t have the strength to breathe before he finally released her.
“Wow,” Tari muttered, bonelessly falling against Arion.
“How long is a typical elvish engagement? I suspect any
thing longer than a month or two is going to be irritating,” Arion asked, his voice rough.
“You said King Petyrr supports us. Any idea of King Celrin?” Tari asked, marveling that she could still think.
“Ah.”
“Ah?”
“King Celrin was there when I informed King Petyrr of my ambitions. A translator was present as well, I would assume he translated for King Celrin.”
“Then what was the ‘ah’ for?”
“King Petyrr said on the rare chance that I really was so lucky as to not only receive you as my bond partner, but also my marriage partner, we would have to be officially presented to the courts. Both of them.”
“Ah.”
“Indeed.”
Tari was silent for a few moments before laughing. “You know, I do not care. We have borne so much, what more is a public spectacle?”
“It will give me the opportunity to simultaneously intimidate all males from both races to stay away from you,” Arion seriously said
“Arion!”
“I am also very grateful to hear that Seer Ringali is married.”
“Arion!” Tari laughed. She laid her head against Arion’s chest.
“You once complained to me that a translator thought we must be connected by a red string of fate. I disagree with him.”
“Oh?”
“Indeed. Our connection is so strong, and we are so devoted to each other it must be a rope,” Arion rumbled.
Tari lifted her head up and leaned into Arion until their noses were brushing. “Perhaps,” she smiled.
Arion half smiled as well. “Perhaps,” he said before kissing her. After a few moments he pulled back and whispered in Tari’s ear. “I love you Tarinthali Ringali.”
“And I love you, Arion Herycian.”
“Pay up,” King Celrin gestured to King Petyrr after a footman bowed and took his leave of the two monarchs.
King Petyrr sighed, making his belly jiggle. He reached into his pocket and fished out a small bag of Calnor gold coins, which he thrust at King Celrin. He gestured for a translator to step closer to the kings. “How did you know?” he asked through the translator.