by Marie Medina
The goblin king, huh? Vadik smiled as an image of David Bowie flitted through his mind. He wasn’t sure how much the fae really knew about human pop culture, and he briefly wondered what it would be like to share his favorite movies and music with the king. “Was there much damage on your side?”
“Nothing we couldn’t quickly recover from. Casualties were far worse for the goblins, which I think has contributed to the peace of the years since then.”
“Who are your enemies?”
“That’s part of the problem. We’re all supposed to be allies in the magical realms. We rarely know of an enemy until they’ve already made a move.”
“All the more reason for me to be here.”
Vadik nearly choked as the breath rushed from his lungs, and it took him a moment to realize he’d been knocked off his feet and forced against the stone wall. He hung a few inches off the floor. Asmund slowly walked toward him, his head held high and an annoyed look in his eyes. “You are larger than we are, but that does not mean you are stronger. Or better in any way. Overconfidence is dangerous, and the captain of my guard will reject you if you behave with arrogance or look down on the other men simply because you’re taller or more muscular. Some are not as skilled with their magic, and none are as powerful as I am. But they are swift and cunning and very well trained. Don’t underestimate any of them.”
Vadik nodded slowly, and the pressure on his chest lessened. He touched the wall behind him for support as he felt his feet return to the stone floor beneath him. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me, Your Majesty. The world I grew up in is very different. I’ll try to keep that in mind.”
Asmund crossed his arms, seeming lost in thought a moment. “I’m sorry. It’s annoys me that you think I need protection, though I know your instinct to protect me is something you can’t fight. You only meant…” He trailed off, looking away.
“That the very idea of you in danger terrifies me?”
Asmund smoothed his shirt and said, “I’m going to have to ask you to stop saying things like that. It’s not appropriate.”
“Neither is denying my mate.”
Asmund shook his head but said nothing as he moved deeper into the room. “Erik,” he said, though there seemed to be no one around.
A blond man in black leathers with a silver breastplate strapped across his chest emerged from thin air. “How may I serve you, Your Majesty?” the man asked after giving a deep bow.
“This is Vadik. He’s from the shifter pack, but he has elven blood. His paternal grandfather was a Son of Fenrir, and he has a great deal of potential. I don’t know if he could ever wield any kind of magic, but I think training with you will help us find out.”
“Training. What kind?” Erik asked, his gaze sweeping over Vadik.
“He wishes to join my personal guard. Test him, and if he passes, begin to prepare him for that duty.”
Erik tilted his head. “Is this a trial run? Will other shifters follow if it goes well?”
Asmund hesitated before he said, “Since I’m sure he won’t keep his mouth shut, I might as well tell you that I’m his mate. He says his place is at my side whether I accept being his mate or not.”
“I’m right here, you know,” Vadik said, annoyed yet happy that the king had in no way denied that they were mates.
Erik’s eyes widened a moment, but he gave no other indication of his surprise. “I’ll begin with a test right away, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you,” Asmund said. He nodded to Vadik. “I’ll see you this evening. Dinner will be in the main dining hall at seven. Erik can give you directions or escort you.”
“I won’t see you again until then?” he asked, knowing it wasn’t even nine yet.
“You’ll be kept busy, I’m sure,” Asmund said before turning and walking away.
Vadik turned back to Erik, who was watching the king with a slight smile on his face. “Shall we proceed with the test?” Vadik asked.
Erik turned to him and said, “Yes, we’ll go outside.” He looked across the room again, just as the king closed the door to the armory. When his gaze returned to Vadik, he said, “The fates certainly have a twisted sense of humor, what with the Briod Ball coming up. Many women will be very disappointed.”
“Do you know something I don’t?” Vadik asked, praying the man would prove to be open and chatty.
“Asmund never allows his hand to be forced. You’re here because he wants you here.”
“So I only need to be patient?”
Erik tilted his head again. “I’m not saying he’s going to accept being your mate, but if he was certain he didn’t want you, he would never have allowed you to come here.” He walked over to the wall and opened a cabinet, drawing out two wooden practice swords. “There are five levels of tests. I’m certain you’ll pass the first one. We’ll keep going until you fail one.”
Vadik followed Erik down a long passage to an open field behind the palace. “You know the king well?”
“I do. He’s about five years older than I am, so we grew up together. The men of my family have always guarded the palace, so I’ve lived here on the grounds my entire life. In previous generations, it was a faux pas to call the king your friend, but Asmund is different, as his father was. I think of him as a very dear friend, which only increases my devotion to him.” He turned and handed one sword to Vadik. “My surprise may have made me speak out of turn, though. I don’t know what has passed between you two, or what comes next. I probably shouldn’t encourage you. Duty’s very important to him. I think he’ll put producing an heir over his personal happiness. Given your size, you couldn’t possibly be an omega.”
“I’m a Beta. But I’m not worried. It’s only been half a day since we met. I’m not going to give up hope yet.”
Erik smiled. “He’ll like that, even if he says he doesn’t.”
Vadik tested the sword’s weight, glad to find it heavier than it looked. “Will he like it if I pass all five of your tests?”
With a laugh, Erik said, “I’d love for you to do so just to see his face.”
“Then let’s get started,” Vadik said, assuming a fighting stance and smiling back at Erik.
An hour later, a crowd had gathered around them. Vadik landed on his ass, frowning as the wooden axe he’d wielded for the final test clattered to the ground beside him. He allowed Erik to help him up, even as he cursed under his breath.
“Don’t be discouraged. No one but Asmund has ever passed that final test.” Erik wiggled his fingers at the axe, causing it to float and glow briefly before it flew into his hand. “It’s enchanted, and you can only win if you defeat the enchantment. The fact you lasted over a minute is impressive. I look forward to telling the king tonight.”
“And what he said earlier about me possibly using magic? Does this mean there’s hope?”
“Oh yes. Your blood is strong. I could feel you fighting against me on a deeper level. It will take study and practice, though. Perhaps you’d welcome a break while I show you some books that will help?”
Though he hadn’t planned on spending any of the day buried among books, he nodded as he wiped his brow. “I won’t say no to a little downtime right now.”
Erik handed the axe off to a young boy and clapped his hands twice. “Back to your work, everyone.”
The crowd dispersed as Erik took two towels from another boy who came running up and then handed one towel to Vadik. “The whole palace will be talking about you soon.”
“I’m counting on it,” Vadik said with a grin.
Chapter Three
Asmund entered the dining hall and tried to ignore everyone’s whispers. Everyone who lived in the palace, except a handful of guards and servants, ate the three daily meals at roughly the same time each day, depending on their personal schedules. But Asmund noticed that the room was far more crowded than usual. He made his way to his usual table at the far end of the hall, nodding to Erik and Vadik as he pulled his chair out. Vadik stood as Asmund took hi
s seat, and Asmund almost smiled at the old-fashioned show of manners. A servant came and filled Asmund’s glass with wine, and Asmund nodded to him before returning his gaze to Vadik.
“Your Majesty,” Vadik said in greeting. “I hope you’re well.”
“I am, thank you. How was your day? What level did you achieve?” Asmund asked.
“I passed up to the fourth level. And I lasted over a minute at the fifth level.”
Asmund went still, his napkin slipping through his fingers to hang on the arm of his chair. “You did?” He retrieved his napkin and smoothed it over his lap to give himself something to focus on. Is he truly that powerful?
“He did,” Erik said. “He’s very well trained. Quite skilled, in fact. He surprised me more than once with his techniques during the tests. We spent part of the morning looking through some of the combat and magic books in my study as well. I think, perhaps, you should test his magic potential soon.”
Asmund looked at Vadik, who seemed pleased with himself but fortunately didn’t have a smug look on his face. “Yes, that would be a good idea. After the ball, perhaps I’ll have a bit more time.”
“How soon will the ball be?” Vadik asked.
“A week from today, if nothing goes wrong,” Asmund said.
“I’ve been wondering something all day,” Vadik said as servants began wheeling carts filled with platters of food out to each table. “How do things manage to go wrong in a world with magic?”
“Magic can’t fix everything.” Asmund gestured to the soup tureen before lifting its lid and serving himself. “I can conjure up a bowl of soup for myself, but it will never taste as good as this does. And it certainly won’t have the same nutritional value.”
“So the food is all prepared the regular way?” Vadik asked.
“Yes. And from the time our powers first emerge, our elders emphasize repeatedly how dangerous it is to rely on magic too heavily. We’d all grow weak and lethargic and become utterly useless beings. We would have no skills. There would be no art or culture. It would be a very dull existence, like spoiled children who get everything they want just by asking for it.”
“I see. I certainly didn’t mean to make assumptions.”
“It’s fine. There will be a lot for you to learn.”
Vadik smiled. “Yes, I look forward to exploring my new home.”
Asmund didn’t say anything, at first, though he did notice Erik trying to hide his smile behind his goblet. He stirred his soup a moment before he said, “You must have had a good day if you’re already thinking of staying.”
“I had every intention of staying the moment the idea occurred to me,” Vadik said, his tone serious.
Asmund wished he hadn’t made that comment, but of course he couldn’t take it back. “If you passed the first four tests so easily, perhaps my guard would be just the place for you. Things do seem more laidback among your pack.”
“We’re safe enough. And most don’t worry about outside threats the way I do. Shifters tend to think their wolf would protect them from almost any danger. It’s made shifters complacent, I think.”
“I’d hardly call Gregor complacent. He’s a very impressive man.”
Vadik’s nostrils flared at that. “He is.” His gaze intensified as he said, “Jared said you joked about marrying him yourself.”
Vadik’s jealousy intrigued Asmund. “Well, yes. When Jared got angry about Gregor putting their matehood in the treaty, I was trying to get him to relent. There were several points of conflict I hadn’t been looking forward to arguing over with Gregor, so when he said he’d give me everything I wanted if Jared accepted their matehood, I was thrilled. I only made that joke to make Jared jealous.”
Vadik seemed to relax, though he didn’t say anything right away. After he’d finished the last of his own soup, he said, “Gregor is a good Alpha.”
“Will being away from your pack affect you, if you stay?” Erik asked.
“In a way, yes. Normally, we only leave our pack for the most important of reasons. Our own safety. Duty. Our mates.” He briefly looked over at Asmund before turning back to Erik. “But when we pledge our loyalty to a new home, those around us take the place of our former pack.”
“I see.” To Asmund, Erik said, “I was going to prepare a room in the barracks, but I wasn’t sure what your plans were.”
“I’m in the room across from his,” Vadik said before Asmund could respond.
Erik blinked twice before looking back and forth between the two of them. “Oh. Yes, of course.”
Asmund gave Erik a look he hoped wouldn’t be misinterpreted. “You know, it just occurred to me that I have some letters to write.” He pushed away from the table hurriedly. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course,” Vadik said, rising again.
The whispers proved harder to ignore as he exited the room, but he didn’t want to stay and see the look on Vadik’s face when Erik told him he was sleeping in the room intended for Asmund’s spouse. Despite the look he’d sent his friend’s way, he had no doubt Erik would tell Vadik. Putting Vadik there had been a matter of convenience, and he hadn’t imagined anyone commenting on it.
He really should’ve known better.
****
Vadik eyed his room with renewed interest when he returned to it after dinner. The color scheme was peach and cream, and almost everything was draped in silk or covered in plush velvet, which probably would be very fitting for the queen of a kingdom filled with magic. He tried to remember what Jared had told him about the fae as he looked around the room. Most of the people in Asmund’s kingdom had a mix of elven and sprite blood. The pointed ears and taller stature came from the elves, while the sensual nature and love of mischief came from the sprites.
Vadik frowned. If Asmund was almost sixty, he’d probably had many lovers. Jealousy surged forward at the idea of anyone else touching his mate. Unbidden, he imagined others kissing Asmund, making him moan and gasp in pleasure. Whether he pictured the king making love to a woman or being taken by a man, his chest constricted in the same way. He tried to shake such thoughts away. That mindset would only make him more aggressive and impatient. He wanted to impress his mate and earn his admiration.
He seemed impressed by how well I did today. Perhaps proving I belong here will help me show him we’re meant to be together.
Footsteps sounded outside, and Vadik went to the door and flung it open. He saw Asmund about to shut his door, and the king paused in this action when he saw Vadik.
Asmund acknowledged him with a nod. “Is everything all right with your room?”
“Yes. It’s a bit frilly, but I don’t mind.”
Asmund stepped back out into the hallway. “I’m sure Erik enjoyed telling you who that room is normally reserved for.”
“He did get a kick out of it.” Vadik nodded to the room. “Does someone actually keep it clean, or is it done by magic?”
“It’s cleaned regularly, but when I opened the door earlier, I set a little spell to work to clear the dust and air the room out.”
“Did you really think no one would tell me?”
“I wasn’t thinking at all. It was just a matter of convenience.” Asmund’s hands went to his hips, a gesture Vadik once again found somehow thrilling. “Look, we’ve already established what you do to my ability to think clearly. And I—”
“Have we?” Vadik said, cutting the king off as he strode across the hall. “I’d love to hear more about that.”
Asmund held both hands up. “You have to stop. I can’t be seen openly keeping a lover so close to the Briod Ball. It’s disrespectful. Ungentlemanly.”
“Ungentlemanly? Seems a gentleman would cancel such an event after finding his fated mate. Don’t honor and duty apply to fate as well? I believe Luke said that you told him fate had brought our people together.”
“That is not what I said. I said I thought he and Gregor had come to the fae court for a reason.”
“At least you admit to
saying it.”
“Of course I do. Lying is dishonorable.”
“Then tell me how you really feel about me.”
The king stared at him a long moment. “I already told you I find you desirable. And I admire many things about you. I’ve told you my reasons for resisting you. My own feelings and desires come second and always will. I don’t know of any other way to say it.”
“Call off the ball for now. Allow me to court you. If you can’t love me, I’ll accept that, and then you can do whatever you want, but I won’t keep listening to these excuses.”
“Excuses? The duty that has been a part of every moment of my life? My responsibility to my people?”
“There’s a line of succession for a reason. Things happen. People die. Or they’re unfit or unwilling to rule.” He paused briefly before saying, “And people fall in love. Even kings.”
The king’s gaze wavered a moment, but then he shook his head. “It’s best for a child to succeed a parent. Things go better. Run more smoothly. There’s less fighting and squabbling and division. The people feel more secure with an established heir. It’s so much easier.”
Vadik frowned. “You’d send me away just to make things easier in a future we know nothing about?”
Asmund’s eyes flashed at him before narrowing. “That is not what I said!”
Pain blossomed in Vadik’s chest as he stood to his full height. “But it’s what you meant.” He turned on his heels and strode back to his room, worried he would say something cruel in his agitated state. His need to claim his mate warred with his plans to be patient.
Before he reached the door, something brought him to a halt. Again, he felt resistance in the air. Asmund came around to face him and glared up at him, poking a finger in his chest the way he had earlier that day.