Heirot

Tenara poured herself a cup of coffee to buy herself enough time to weigh the options. The ruse was for a reason. Her family would lose their minds if they knew her partnership with Laurius was to become a makeshift science project and her father was likely to tear down half the castle in a fit—or kill Laurius.

Which, after yesterday, might not be the worst idea.

She smiled sheepishly. “It’s unorthodox, I suppose, but he is nice and we have a lot in common—”

Her mother was rubbing her temples. “Atul’s advisors are going to have a meltdown.”

Tenara frowned. “Is that what we’re upset about? I didn’t choose their pick?”

“We’re upset you didn’t tell us and… well, it seems a little sudden,” Tenele said softly, eyeing her husband. “Right?”

——


Laurius glanced back at Artisuren’s panic. “It’s just breakfast, buddy. Nothing to get worked up over. If you’re worried about the mess we made, I’m sure she’s cleaned up worse. This is a nice establishment but it’s also close to the docks...”

Vlad scratched his head. "Given who your parents are, it would be stranger if you obediently went with the advisors' pick," he admitted. "He is far from the worst candidate, I suppose. If he truly interests you." The vampire's eyes settled briefly on Havitharon, trying to get a read on his reaction. The Ivis met his eyes without any hint of expression.

"Ugh," Vlad sighed. "I give up. If you plan to go near the Border, bring Stalker."

______

Artisuren was getting tired of being speechless. The Yurivis was going to clean that? And Laurius didn't seem the least bit concerned about being punished. "Nothing here makes any sense," he grumbled as they descended the stairs into the pub on the first floor. Unfamiliar smells crowded his senses. Only a few people were eating at this hour, which meant only a few people stared at them like Laurius had just brought an alien down from his room.

"Oho? I don't remember you arrivin' with a guest last night," the barkeep teased Laurius as he wiped the counter. "Ham soup or eggs?"

Tenara nodded, relieved they didn’t put anymore effort into questioning her decisions or motives. Her relief quickly fizzled when her other father eased into the room and slipped into his chair at the head of the table. Cold seemed to have followed him in.

He was quiet as he took his napkin and shook it out and placed it into his lap. He poured his coffee, spooned some fruit onto his plate, and began to eat.

Tenara glanced at Havi warily.

“I heard an interesting story,” he began, glancing at his wife and husband.

“We know,” Tenele said softly. “We were just discussing it.”

“Oh? Vlad seems far more composed than I expected,” Atul said. “I was told by Aram, no less, that Tenara had spent her afternoon and well into the night in a hotel by the docks with an Ighten commoner… and possibly another man…”

——

Laurius winked at the barkeep. “I snuck him in my window,” he said, then tugged Artisuren close. “I think we’ll both try the soup, if you please. We’ll be sitting over there.” He pointed to a cozy booth wedged into an alcove.

Vlad's posture bristled as Atul repeated the rumor. "I hadn't heard that one," he said darkly. Ruby eyes flashed at his daughter. Again, his daughter's pet alien seemed to show no reaction to the statement, which he wasn't sure if he found reassuring or worrying. "You grew fond of each other rather quickly," he said testily. "You didn't seem nearly so close when you met at the banquet. What about that man appeals to you, daughter?"

______

Artisuren swatted the man's arms away peevishly as Laurius led him to the table, but sat across from him nonetheless. The booth was tight enough that their knees bumped beneath the table. He shifted his long legs to try to untangle himself, but ended up with his shins stretched out and scissored with Laurius's. He grunted in annoyance.

"Two soups," the barkeep announced, slapping bowls in front of each of them and setting spoons in the middle. "Ten copper."

Tenara felt a curl of panic, but she kept it tethered down. “He’s straight forward and honest almost to a fault. He doesn’t hide his intentions, and he has no desire to be…” She paused, because this could be her undoing. Why else would anyone have an interest in her if not to sit on the throne. “He has no desire to be a king.” Then, she turned her gaze on her father. “Are you spying on me?”

“I’m looking after you,” Atul said, glancing her way. “Tenara, you are the Princess of Hajara and you are playing at life like you can live by the same rules and anonymity as some carefree peasant girl. It is not just your reputation you’re damaging, you’re risking your life. Do you want someone to take you again?”

Tenara blanched and clenched her hands so tight she flinched from the pain in her injured one—the one she’d used to make Artisuren whole. “I can protect myself and I have Havi. I don’t need someone spying on me.”

“And your reputation? Can you protect that? You represent our home, Tenara. What you do behind your bedroom door is one thing. What you do in an inn down the street is another. People will start to call you a…” He pursed his lips together. “Be mindful of your station, and what’s expected of you…”

“I suppose being labeled a whore will make it hard for Aram to convince some noble to barter for a marriage contract,” Tenara said with tight smile, wishing the coffee she was sipping was something else.

—-

Laurius dug through the pouch on his waist and passed the man the coppers. He then lifted his spoon and began to eat. He knocked his knee purposefully against Artisuren’s, smiling as he dipped his spoon into his bowl again. “Your feathers are so easily ruffled,” he sighed. “Relax, Artisuren. Enjoy the meal. Nothing bad is going to happen if you loosen the tension in those muscles of yours.”

Vlad looked at Atul, somewhat shocked. It was easy to forget that sometimes that his husband had lived his life in a much more conservative culture. It was strange, being the calmer one for once. He placed his hand on Atul's thigh beneath the table, squeezing. The reasons his daughter gave for her interest in the man didn't quite sit right, but they were better reasons than he had expected. "Tenara, we have no intention of bartering you, and your father never said anything otherwise," the vampire said firmly. "It will always be your choice, but we cannot stop others from passing judgment on your choices. We don't want you to be caught off guard by the public's perception all because we failed to prepare you for what to expect."

_____

Artisuren regarded Laurius archly before finally considering his meal. He would just ignore the man, and eat until his brain worked again. Artisuren didn't use the spoon. He lifted the soup in both hands and sipped it. The flavor was salty and warm. It wasn't like anything he'd had before, but he didn't dislike it. The Ivis raised the bowl back to his lips and drank it in slow sips as if it were a hot cider, forgetting the man across from him. Despite himself, he found his tension easing off. He lowered the bowl for a second to catch his breath and sighed, closing his eyes in relief.

Tenara looked down. “I know you wouldn’t barter me away to someone willingly,” she said softly. She knew her father’s advisers were loud and vocal about their displeasure at his desire to let her have a choice. Aram in particular, who more than once pulled her aside and tried to pressure her quietly to see reason—tradition, alliances, security, among others. “I know you want me to be able to have a choice… But, let’s be reasonable, the longer I’m unmarried the easier it will be for someone to force us all the make agreements we never intended or wanted to make.”

Tenara glanced at Havi. “And it’s harder for me to have a choice, than it was for you all. You didn’t look at Papa and see a path to power. You saw him and you loved him. You had a chance to fall in love. When people look at me, they just see what I can give them, and any relationship I try to forge will always have that shadow over it.”

Tenara looked at Havi. “Except for you,” she said, and smiled. “And, as it would seem, Laurius. And since I cannot marry Havi…” Tenara stared at the alien a moment longer. “I will be more discreet.”

—

“Good boy,” Laurius said when he saw the tension ease in Artisuren and the quiet, please expression replace the panicked look he’d had in the hall.

Laurius was halfway through his breakfast when he stopped and abruptly hissed, “Shit! I forgot about Jim.”

'Since I cannot marry Havi...' Vlad's breath held quietly as he watched the look she cast her familiar. He'd known she might begin to see him that way. It was a hard thing for a young person to accept. It was a relief that she understood, or should have been.

"It's not as though you've wandered off with different people at every dance. You met very publicly two nights ago. A nighttime visit this soon might appear a bit wild, but you're a young woman, and if you are courting with him, it fits your story well. Just keep your wits about you at his estate and don't let your guard down too quickly."

"And write to us," he added, arms crossed. The sight of the powerful vampire sulking was something only his family ever got to see.

_____

Artisuren jerked up straight and tried to identify what was upsetting him. "Jim..." he stated. It must be the other male Laurius was traveling with. His language skills were new, but he'd understood enough without language to know that Jim had stayed at the large palace as a guest, whereas they had stayed in town during this visit. "What did you forget about Jim?"

Tenara smiled. “Of course. Every week. Though, I don’t know what will be of interest at his estate this time of year. It will be nice to see snow. I know Stalker will enjoy it.”

—

Laurius sighed. “I’m supposed to be his guard,” he said. “Granted, he’s as safe as he’s ever been staying on the palace grounds. Still, I’m being paid. I should check on him and ensure our ride is ready for tomorrow. Okay. Eat up. We have an extra stop to make.”

Twenty minutes later, Tenara and Havitharon made their way down the front steps of the palace. Havi carried a suitcase with a week's worth of clothing for them both. It looked like a lunchbox held easily at his side. Between them prowled Stalker, who beneath his very serious gait looked rather pleased to be going on an adventure with his treasured "sister".

As they reached the base of the steps, they recognized Jim and his attendants standing somewhat awkwardly by the road. They had their luggage with them, but appeared to be waiting for something. Jim had perched on one of his smaller suitcases, his fine clothes dangerously close to touching the ground.

"Oh, Princess!" he greeted as he noticed her. "Good day. I say, have you by any chance come across my man Laurius? He was due with the carriage twenty minutes ago."

Tenara glanced around. "I haven't seen him since yesterday," she said. "I'm sure he'll be here shortly." An unease settled in the pit of her stomach. What if something had happened to him? What if Artisuren had killed him? What if someone had attacked him for his blade..." Tenara curled a hand over the hilt of her sword.

But, just as the worries started to bubble up, Tenara heard the clatter of hooves and the carriage came rumbling into the sandstone courtyard. She saw the driver, but didn't see Laurius until it came to a stop. He was seated at the rear, on a bench, next to Artisuren.

Laurius slipped off the bench and motioned for Artisuren to stay behind. "Sorry, I'm late Jim. There was a mixup at the stables and I had to wait for the carriage to return from taking another group to the docks." He snapped his fingers and the footman jumped to take Jim and his attendants' bags. Laurius came to her. If he was guilty of anything, or felt bad for the fight between them, it didn't show in his expression. "Good morning Princess."

"Good morning," she greeted, exhaling. "Does Jim know I'm returning with you?"

Laurius glanced over his shoulder. "Ugh, no. But, I don't think he'll mind. In fact, he'll probably see it as a sign his business proposition is looking healthy. He'll throw a party on the ship. Here, let me take your bag..." He smiled at her and reached out towards Havi to take their bag.

Havi yielded the bag to the man. He appeared strong enough to lift it... probably. He found himself more interested in the Ivis still seated on the coach, but Artisuren avoided his gaze.

"Who is that other driver?" Jim asked Laurius skeptically. "You know I don't like staff I haven't hired myself."

Laurius smiled. "I'm sorry, Jim. I would have run him by you if I had the chance. Tenara is accompanying us back to Ighten. She is to stay at my estate and may tour your facilities. He is additional security. Given the threats on your life, and hers, I thought it prudent to get someone similar to Havitharon to help us. If it doesn't suit you, though, I will send him away."

Jim looked at Tenara. "Why, that's delightful! I'm so pleased you've hit it off so well. Princess... forgive me, but didn't the King relieve your guard of his role when he caused issues with Arken at the banquet? On top of that, the two look awfully similar. Others might confuse them," he argued, looking back at the carriage. "I do quite a bit of trade with Arken. I'd prefer not to be associated with a problem. Perhaps they could ride in the servants' carriage?"

"Yes. Of course. We wouldn't want to upset them. I understand. One moment and I'll arrange it." Laurius agreed and nodded. As Jim turned away, Laurius turned to Havi. "I need you to ride in the second carriage with Artisuren."

"He stays with me," Tenara said softly.

"You'll be perfectly safe in the first carriage with the rest of us," Laurius said. "If we want to get to Ighten without an issue, we need to keep Jim in a good mood." He turned to Havitharon. "Come on."

Tenara followed on his heels.

"Arti, get into that carriage," he said, pointing to the second one. He didn't make it a request. He was short on time and had a feeling the issue with Havitharon was going to turn into an argument of some sort. He opened the door to the servants' carriage and motioned for them to enter. "It's a short ride. We're just ahead of them. Nothing will happen."