“Guess that answers that,” Miceral whispered in his ear.
After an obligatory first dance with the other couples, Miceral led Farrell toward a long table set aside for them. Swimming through the sea of well-wishers, Farrell let out a sigh of relief when they reached the far corner of the hall.
“Farrell?” He turned when he heard his name, scanning the crowd for the speaker.
Miceral pointed to their left just as Ostert and Lillian made their way through the throng.
“Congratulations on entering the ranks of the joined.” Ostert clapped Miceral on the back while Farrell gave Lillian a hug. Reaching for Ostert’s hand, Farrell stepped back.
“A dress tunic and no sword?” Farrell smirked. “You even wore your uniform when we came to dinner. I didn’t know you owned anything else.”
Lillian rolled her eyes and shook her head. “If you only knew the effort it took to get him to wear this today.”
Miceral reached out to hug her. “You only have yourself to blame for the monster you created.”
She nodded. “I know. You remind me every time I complain. If I hadn’t let him wear the uniform to our union ceremony, he wouldn’t think it’s acceptable everywhere.”
Farrell pulled out a chair for Lillian. “At the risk of upsetting you, I think he looks rather handsome in the uniform.”
“Thank you.” Ostert gave his wife an exaggerated nod. “But I still don’t find you attractive, Farrell.”
Farrell laughed, remembering their conversation when they first met. “That’s a good thing, since you’re about to become a father soon. I would hate to have your lovely wife vexed at me.”
“Hey.” Miceral poked him on the upper arm. “You should be concerned about your new life partner. Telling other men you think they’re handsome on our union day is not the best idea.”
Realizing the mistake he’d made, Farrell couldn’t think of a good comeback. He must have looked as confused as he felt because Miceral pulled him closer for a long kiss.
“Do that some more and I won’t even notice other men exist.” Farrell leaned in for another kiss before he let Miceral step back.
“Were we that bad?” Ostert asked his wife.
“We? No, we weren’t, but you were worse,” she said.
“Me?”
“Oh yes.” Farrell pointed at his friend. “For days after the ceremony, you wore a smile as wide as your face.”
“So how’s the baby?” Miceral asked.
Ostert’s face broke into a grin. “The healers say he’s doing great.”
Farrell turned to Lillian. “He? I thought you said you didn’t want to know the sex.”
She let out her breath and turned to her husband. “I didn’t, but I agreed to find out if he agreed to dress properly for today.”
“I think she played you,” Miceral said
Turning from his wife to Miceral, Ostert looked deflated. “Really?”
Putting an arm around his friend, Miceral shook his head. “If she really didn’t want to know, do you think she would have bargained just to get you in a tunic? She obviously didn’t mind finding out but used it to get you do something she knew you’d resist.”
“Miceral!” Lillian’s eyes narrowed as she fixed her stare on him. “You’re not supposed to tell him my secrets.”
Gently taking her hand in his, Miceral brought it to his lips for a brief kiss. “My apologies, Lillian. Ostert is like a younger brother to me. Someone has to teach him what to expect.”
In the process of taking a sip of wine, Farrell choked and sprayed the red liquid all over the table. When he recovered, he waved his hand to clean up the mess. “You’re teaching him the ways of women? Where did you come by this knowledge?”
Turning Ostert away from Farrell, Miceral glared at his partner for a moment. “Don’t mind him. Just remember to ask me next time.”
Before Ostert could answer, a small group of well-dressed festival-goers descended on their table, offering their congratulations. Soon the small group became a crowd, and Farrell lost sight of his friends. He did his best not to show his annoyance at the newcomers for chasing his real friends away. Another reason he wished they had joined in secret.
Knowing they had five more celebrations to attend, the pair danced with the other newlyjoineds, ate sparingly, tried to make the rounds to meet as many people as they could, then moved on to the next festivity.
At every festival site, Miceral and Farrell met the other couples celebrating their union ceremonies. The energy and excitement from the other just-joined couples proved contagious, and Farrell found himself having more fun than he’d expected.
They returned to the festival in the Great Hall for a brief appearance to say good night to their friends and family. Before they left, the crowd coerced them into one more round of dancing.
“I could cast an illusion that looked like the two of us dancing, and we could sneak off.” Farrell raised his eyebrows suggestively.
“What happened to the lord showing off his concubine, duty as lord, and all that other nonsense you told me?” Miceral stared down his nose at Farrell.
“That was earlier. Now I want you all to myself.”
“We have a lifetime for that.” Miceral scooped him up, moving farther onto the dance floor. “Tonight we celebrate the one and only night we were joined.”
Farrell stuck out his tongue. “Fine, but when I fall asleep on you, remember who kept who out late.”
They danced another ten minutes, then said their goodbyes. Farrell did his best not to rush through the hall, despite the surprise he had waiting for Miceral in their suite.
When they finally made it outside the Great Hall, Miceral stopped and pulled Farrell toward him. “I haven’t had the chance to say this much since we were joined. I love you.” He kissed Farrell deeply in the middle of the hall before they walked back to their chambers.
“I hope you’re ready for one last surprise.” Farrell couldn’t suppress the grin he tried to hold back.
“Surprise?” Miceral gave him a quizzical look. “When did you have time to arrange a surprise?”
“I have my ways, you know.” He waved his hand in the air, creating a ball of blue light that winked out a second later.
Miceral shook his head, feigning a frown. “So I’ve been told.”
“Well, since you don’t care, I’ll just cancel the week away I planned for us.”
“Wait.” Miceral pulled them to a stop. “You arranged a trip? For us? Away from Haven?”
“Yeah, that’s what a week away means.” He rolled his eyes. “Most couples take a trip somewhere after their nuptials to be alone. Horgon agreed to run everything while we’re gone, and Nerti can get in touch with me, if needed.”
A snort erupted from Miceral. “What have you done that you’re so blasted pleased with yourself?”
“Remember that day when you asked me what was to the west of the mountains?” When Miceral nodded, he continued. “I arranged a trip to Belsport. Booked us a suite at the finest inn in the city. And we’ll be going as simple travelers, so no formal state visit, no diplomatic mission, no meetings, nothing. Just time for us to spend together doing whatever we want.”
Miceral stood with a silly look on his face. “Are you ever going to stop doing nice things for me so I can catch up?”
“Nope, never.” Farrell laughed, excited that his partner looked happy. “Not as long as we are together. Besides, after all the things you’ve done for me, I’m way behind, if we were keeping score, of course.”
Miceral smiled, remaining silent while they continued on their way. When they reached their apartment, Miceral placed a hand on Farrell’s chest, forcing him to stop. Miceral scooped him up and held Farrell in one arm while he opened the door with the other.
“Just making sure you end up where I want you tonight.” Miceral flashed him a wicked grin.
“As if you needed to drag me anywhere with you.” With a flick of his wrist, Farrell shut the doo
r, adding a sealing spell for good measure.
Tomorrow morning he wanted to be sure no one walked in unannounced.
Chapter Nineteen
FARRELL’S BODY shook, jerking him awake. Miceral rolled onto his back, yawning in the process.
“You really ought to find a better spell to wake us when someone knocks.” Miceral stretched his arms over his head. “That one makes you jump so much you’re going to fall out of bed someday.”
Farrell’s eyes focused on Miceral’s groin. “That may be, but you should be glad I sealed the door.” He smirked as Miceral followed his stare.
“Are you going to tell me you’re not in the same state?”
Tossing back the sheet, Farrell jumped off the bed. “You have eyes. Clearly I’m in no better condition than you.”
A loud knock filled the room as Farrell searched for a pair of pants. Frustrated, he closed his eyes and snapped his right hand out. Stepping into the blue pants he summoned, he located his tunic. “How did our clothes get so scattered?”
Shaking his head, Miceral sat back against the pillows. “I believe a certain Lord of Haven began tossing our clothing about in his haste to consummate his union.”
“No,” Farrell said, pulling the tan shirt over his head. “It was the lord’s concubine who couldn’t get undressed fast enough.”
“Just go get the door while I get dressed.” Miceral tossed a pillow at him. Flicking his wrist, Farrell sent the pillow back, hitting Miceral in the face.
“I live to serve.” He followed the playful bow by quickly leaving the room. Padding his way barefoot to the door, he released the spell that had hidden their luggage from Miceral.
Lisle stood waiting impatiently when he opened the door. She seemed genuinely surprised. “What’s come over you, child? Normally you stay in bed as long as you can.”
“Nice to see you too, Lisle.” He smiled. Even though everything had changed, nothing had changed. He stepped back to allow her to enter. “We didn’t expect you today given how late the festival went. Thought you might take the day off.”
“Why in the world would you think I would take a day off?” She rolled her eyes.
“We were sort of thinking, well, you know, it was our first night as newlyjoineds and all.” He felt himself blush under her stare.
“Child, you two have been living like newlyjoineds for months. I figured last night you’d mix things up and try sleeping for a change.” She looked over his shoulder at the bags. “Why are those bags on my clean floor? You two going somewhere?”
“Farrell’s taking me to Belsport for our postnuptial trip.” Miceral stood in the doorway wrapped in a robe. “The little imp planned this as a union surprise.”
“Told you before, I’m nothing like an imp.” Grabbing Miceral’s hand, he pulled his partner closer. “I figured we’d never get any time alone in Haven, so taking a trip was the only way we could have any fun.”
“Never knew you to be a hopeless romantic.” Lisle sounded impressed.
“Never had a reason to be romantic until now.” Farrell yawned. “I think I’m going back to bed for a bit. No one’s expecting me for the next week. I might as well take advantage of my freedom.”
“Shouldn’t we be getting ready to go?” Miceral nodded toward the bags. “Would be a shame to waste these plans after all you did to surprise me.”
Farrell wanted to smack Miceral for missing the hint. “You’re probably right.” When only his partner could see his face, Farrell glared at him.
“What?”
“That was a polite way of suggesting we go back to bed for a while.”
“Missed that hint, didn’t you, Miceral?” Lisle laughed as she made her way into the other rooms to begin work.
Miceral wrapped his arms around Farrell once she moved out of sight. “Sorry.”
Stealing a kiss, Farrell wiggled out of the embrace. “No worries. You can make it up to me later.”
“EXPLAIN TO me again why Klissmor and Nerti aren’t coming?” Even though he couldn’t see his face, Farrell could hear the unease in Miceral’s voice.
“By now, I’m sure Meglar has heard the story of the young wizard who rode a unicorn to Northhelm and helped destroy his army.” Farrell leaned his head back into the bath to rinse the soap from his hair. When he finished, he found Miceral seated at the end of the tub. “Once word of Nerti’s presence spread, we’d be hounded by his agents without rest.”
“Even in Belsport?” Miceral handed Farrell a towel.
“Thank you.” He dried his hair first. “Belsport isn’t at war with Meglar, so Zargon’s merchants are free to conduct business in the city. Most of them are probably spies who, willingly or otherwise, report back to Meglar.”
Motioning with his head, he led Miceral back to their bedroom. Laid out on the bed was comfortable but nondescript clothing. Farrell’s favorite ornate platinum-capped staff was replaced by a simple smooth staff similar to the one he used to spar with Master Baylec.
“What’s with the travel clothes?” Miceral picked up the gray tunic and held it out toward Farrell. “These look like something mercenaries would wear.”
“That’s because that’s what they are.” He pointed to the two sets of clothes. “We’re traveling to Belsport as mercenaries in search of work. I’m the younger son of a minor nobleman; you’re the son of a merchant who didn’t want to enter the family business. We’re celebrating our union ceremony with money from our families. I already made inquiries with some wealthy merchants, asking if they’re hiring.”
“What happens if they want to hire us?” Miceral arched one eyebrow at Farrell.
“We decline.” He laughed. “It’s not like we’ll be in danger of ruining our reputation. Come on, let’s go.”
When they reached the luggage in the foyer, Farrell presented Miceral with a small, brown, leather saddlebag. “What’s this for?”
Farrell held up a twin to the one he gave Miceral and opened one of the two side flaps. “These are union gifts from Wesfazial. The two side pouches are endless pockets. We could stuff the contents of both our closets in these and they’d be no bigger than they are now.”
Farrell picked up a travel bag many times larger than the entire saddlebag. He placed the bag over the opening to one pouch of the saddlebag and it disappeared inside. The size of the leather pocket, however, didn’t change. Miceral’s eyes widened a moment, but he quickly followed Farrell’s lead, stuffing a week’s worth of luggage into the tiny bag.
Farrell summoned a page to tell Horgon they’d left, bade Lisle goodbye, and set off for the stables, smiling foolishly. Two sturdy but unremarkable horses waited for them, saddled and groomed.
“It’s been decades since I used a saddle.” Miceral tested the straps before mounting. “Might take some getting used to.”
“Don’t worry,” Farrell said, swinging himself onto the gray gelding, sending calming thoughts to the animal in the process. “After we get through the Door, the ride shouldn’t be more than a couple of hours.”
“Why can’t you bring us into the city itself and avoid the ride?” When Miceral nudged his mount, the muscular brown male started to get jittery.
“Talk to him like he was me,” Farrell suggested.
Miceral clutched the reins tighter. “He won’t understand what I’m saying.”
Rather than see his partner thrown, Farrell reached out to the skittish animal, projecting soothing thoughts. “It’s not the words but the emotions behind them. See?”
The brown horse calmed noticeably, allowing Miceral to relax. “I must be tense after all these years riding Klissmor.”
“Probably.” Pointing to a spot between two trees, Farrell opened a Door, using a marker close to Belsport. “The reason I don’t take us into the city is threefold. First, I don’t have permission. Darius, Belsport’s chief wizard, has sealed the city against unwanted Doors. It would be bad form to try to circumvent his control except in an emergency. Sadly, your comfort doesn’t ri
se to that level.
“The second is image. We’re mercenaries, not princes. Using a Door to travel between cities, while common for wizards, is expensive for nonwizards. If I were really the barely master-class wizard I’m projecting, there’s no way I could do it myself. Thus, we’d need to find a wizard and pay to open a Door. Then there’s the effort of finding a wizard who had a point of reference in Belsport, again no easy—”
“Didn’t you say there were three reasons?” Miceral rolled his eyes when Farrell looked over.
“Sorry, too detailed.” He led the way through the Door, keeping both animals calm as they went. They emerged at the edge of what appeared to be a great forest. “The third is we don’t want to get there too early. After all, Belsport is at least an hour behind timewise.”
When Miceral’s mount moved a few feet beyond the Door,
Farrell withdrew the energy, causing it to close in a flash.
“What does that mean?” Miceral drew his horse next to Farrell’s.
“To most people, time difference isn’t an issue.” Before they got too far, he did a sweep of the area to be sure no one watched them. Finding nothing, he cast a spell around them that would make people ignore them unless something significant happened. “The sun doesn’t rise at the same time all over the planet. Belsport is several hundred miles west of Haven, so dawn comes over an hour later for them than for us. Another reason I suggested we go back to bed.”
Snickering, Miceral shook his head. “You’re not going to let me forget that, are you?”
“Not until tonight, at least.”
Exiting the tree cover, Farrell led them toward a road visible at the edge of the grass. Under a cloudless sky, they rode through the cultivated lands surrounding Belsport.
“Does Belsport claim this as part of their territory?” Miceral asked, when they’d been riding for close to an hour.
“No and yes.” Farrell shook his head. “Belsport is a seafaring city. Its life’s blood is the port built around one of the most sheltered deep-water harbors in the world. Technically, Prince Wilhelm’s reach only extends to the city’s massive walls, but practically, these farmers and landowners consider themselves part of his domain.”
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