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Ava was glad to see Lysa and Ethne had reconciled. When they broke camp in the evening, Ethne was wearing Lysa’s pale green favor tied on her upper arm. Lysa also allowed Ethne to take her by the waist and help her into the saddle, and as the party rode on, Lysa and Ethne spoke in soft whispers, sometimes laughing, sometimes quite serious, but always with warmth. Several times, Ava noticed Ethne gazing down at Lysa with great affection.
“And so, our dearest Lysa hath tamed the beast in Ethne,” said Liadan, amused. “I commend her.”
Ava giggled.
Ava and Liadan were riding Liadan’s brown horse at the front of the procession, and Liadan’s gauntlets held the reins, her silver vambraces enfolding Ava on both sides.
Lysa and Ethne rode happily behind Ava and Liadan, and at the end of the procession, Rowan and Saoirse were riding side by side on their horses and bickering in low voices like an old married couple.
Ava found Rowan and Saoirse fascinating. As Liadan had said back at the Quick Corn, Ava had not been around many women who were attracted to other women, let alone a couple. The female knights back at Caradin had been few, and those few that were posted in the castle were only attracted to men. More than once, a knight had been relieved of his or her post for fraternizing on the job.
And so, Rowan and Saoirse were the first female couple Ava had ever seen. Their relationship was completely different from anything she had seen between a man and a woman, or even between Liadan and herself. There was a large age gap between them (Rowan was quite young, while Saoirse was older), and they were both masculine women, muscular and strong, sitting with their legs spread, walking with a hard stride. And yet they were so gentle with each other, touching each other’s hair, carefully helping each other adjust the buckling on their armor, gazing at each other with soft affection.
Ava watched them from a distance, thinking their love beautiful and tender, and she wondered why they were not married. The goddess Eyslath was a goddess of love and did not frown upon two people of the same sex coming into union. She did not even frown upon three people of the same sex coming into union. So long as the union was sincere and true, it was blessed.
Liadan had explained to Ava that Saoirse – though she hardly looked it—was actually quite older than the rest of them, being in her mid-to-late thirties, and it was the reason she was so quiet and reserved. It was not merely her personality but a result of years of hardship, which had turned her a little cynical and sour. She had graduated from the knight academy almost twenty years before and had stayed on as an instructor after a few adventures that had taken a bad turn. In the process, she had fallen in love with Rowan, her student, and had kept it a secret until Rowan had graduated, for fear Rowan would have been expelled.
Ava was surprised to learn that Saoirse was actually one of Liadan’s teachers. It made the energy between the Knight of the Lion and the rest of the group feel completely different, often as if she were their mother, though Saoirse never scolded or fussed over anyone. If anything, Saoirse allowed Liadan to take the lead but remained at her side as an advisor, stern and yet kind.
As they rode along, it was yet another cold wintry night. The sky was clear and the stars were scattered like diamonds overhead. Ava sat before Liadan in the saddle, bundled in her fur cloak and gazing with large green eyes at the night sky. She wondered what her father was doing at that very moment. Did he miss her? Did he fear for her?
“Your eyes reflect the starlight,” Liadan said softly. “It was your eyes that did first enchant me.”
Ava smiled, shyly fanning her pale lashes down.
Behind them, Ethne started to sing softly, and everyone fell silent, listening to her song. Rowan and Saoirse even stopped bickering.
“Ethne was going to be a bard, you know,” said Liadan in a hushed voice when Ethne’s song had ended.
“Was she?” said Ava. “A pity things turned out the way they did. She has a wonderful voice. I could listen to her all night.”
“A pity?” Liadan repeated. “Perhaps. But she hath made a brilliant warrior. Things worked out exactly as they should have, as the Old Gods intended.”
Ava didn’t know what to say. She found it remarkable that Liadan, whose life had been so unfair, could believe in any gods at all. But she didn’t want to upset Liadan, so she said nothing of it. Perhaps she would prod the knight about it later, though.
“I don’t believe Ethne had a beast in her at all,” Ava said. “She makes such sweet music with her voice and seems so soft and gentle.”
Liadan snorted. “You did not know her before she met Lysa. She was a proper lover like me. She dominated her women and gave them intense orgasms with her commanding strength and might.”
Ava blushed hotly.
“And then she did meet Lysa,” went on Liadan, “and all the roughness went out of her. Now she is docile as a lamb while that tiny woman rules her passion. It is a little sickening to watch, I confess. But if it makes Ethne happy, who am I to speak ill of it?”
Ava laughed incredulously. “As if I did not rule you!”
Liadan gave a little smile. “You rule me in the proper way. You do command my heart, sweet princess, not my lust.”
Ava’s heart fluttered happily to hear the affection in Liadan’s deep voice. “And Ethne cares not that you did have your way with Lysa?”
“Why should she? We have always shared women. It is how I know of Ethne’s temperament in bed. Or did you think us lovers?” Liadan asked, amused.
Ava laughed. “I could never see you and Ethne together, though the thought of you both lying unclothed together doth stir me.”
Liadan chuckled at that.
“Shall I lay with Ethne?” Ava whispered excitedly. “Shall we make a foursome of it?”
Liadan chuckled again, and Ava knew how she must’ve seemed to the knight: a sheltered young princess finally free of an overbearing father, ready to live wild. But Ava couldn’t help it. She had spent her entire life sequestered away from the charms of beautiful, powerful women, and now she was surrounded by them. She kept daydreaming of Liadan and Ethne both making rough, aggressive love to her, crushing her on both sides with their muscular bodies....
“If it pleases Ethne and Lysa, I have no objection,” said Liadan. She glanced anxiously at the sky. “We shall have to find shelter soon anyhow. I sense a storm in the making. A fearsome one. The air is dense.”
“You can sense the weather?” asked Ava, impressed.
“Wildoras is not far from Illa, my princess,” Liadan answered. “The closer I am to the land of my blood, the stronger my perception. I could in some events even control the weather whilst in my homeland.”
“Simply remarkable,” whispered Ava, in awe. “You’re like some sort of goddess! No wonder Father chose you!”
Liadan swallowed unhappily. “You mustn’t call me a goddess. You shall stir the wrath of the Old Gods. My people thought they were goddesses once, and now they live with the curse of stagnation.”
“Is Ceana as devoted to the Old Gods as you are?” Ava wondered. “She serves in the temple of a goddess of my people. Does it not bother her?”
“Ceana was never reverent,” said Liadan with a little smile. “She was always rebellious, like you.”
“Like me?!” said Ava, playfully offended.
“Yes, like you, my sweet Ava,” said Liadan, voice soft with affection. “I have always done what was expected of me. When my mother the queen sent me forth in exile, I did not protest but did my duty.
“I had plans to set forth with Ethne after graduation. We were to become errant knights together. But your father summoned me to court, and I did not complain. I did my duty.
“My tryst with you was the first time I set duty aside and followed my heart. It is . . .a little frightening.”
“How?” Ava asked anxiously.
“The path of duty is predictable,” Liadan answered. “The path of the heart is uncertain. I have no notion of where our choice to flee shall lead us. I worry that I shall fail, fail to protect your life, and it will have been my fault for taking thee from Caradin—”
“Sweet Liadan,” said Ava soothingly. “You forget my part in this. You did not take me. I have chosen this path as much as you have, and I shall stick to it until the end, for better or worse.”
“For better or worse,” agreed Liadan, and Ava smiled when the Knight of the Wild kissed her cheek.
***
UNFORTUNATELY, LIADAN was right. A snowstorm soon descended upon them, blinding them in sheets of white, so that Liadan had to light their way with the magick of her golden flame. But it wasn’t enough. They would need to find shelter or perish there on the road from the cold.
The group pulled their horses close to confer, Liadan’s golden light lining their faces with its glow. Rowan, shouting over the battering wind, suggested that they go to Hargendon, the little town where she and Saoirse had been previously heading. Because they had no other options, the others agreed, and so they set forth.
Heading to Hargendon meant backtracking and putting greater distance between themselves and Hastow, but knowing they had little choice, the group pressed on. Thankfully, Hargendon wasn’t far. Before long, the little town had appeared at the end of the road, a silhouette in the swirling sheets of snow. The town was not walled or guarded, same as Wedale, and so they rode right inside and to the nearest tavern.
The group dismounted at the tavern’s stable and sheltered their horses, handing off the reins to a sleepy stableboy. The streets were deserted, and the few people who were out and about in the storm didn’t look twice at them. Things seemed to be going smoothly – right up until the point where a group of knights wearing the sigil of House Damaris dismounted at the stables and also handed off their reins to the stableboy.
Ava stood in horror, staring at her father’s knights, as beside her, Liadan’s lips tightened and her hand went to her sword hilt. Lysa had likewise frozen beside Ethne, who looked ready to fight same as Liadan, and Rowan and Saoirse drew near, looking grim, hands going to weapons.
The knights of Caradin were all men in silver armor, wearing fur cloaks against the cold, shields on their arms. Ava didn’t recognize any of the knights in particular. None of their faces were familiar, and thankfully, Captain Kenric was not among them. There were eight of them, but Liadan and her friends could have made short work of them, Ava knew. She was more afraid for her father’s knights than for the knights traveling with her.
The two groups simply stared at each other for a moment. No one moved or spoke. Then Ava lifted her chin and haughtily said, “Well? Shall you attempt to take me or no? I assure you, the odds are not in your favor.”
“We were not sent to find you, your highness,” admitted one of the knights, a tall man with a short brown beard. “Your father sent us forth on a different quest.” His eyes went to Liadan, and they were a little afraid. “This is . . . an unfortunate coincidence.”
Ava frowned. “What quest did my father send you on? What is more important than finding his only child?” she demanded almost shrilly.
The bearded knight hesitated and answered, “Forgive me, your highness, but your father has sent no one in search of you.”
Ava’s mouth fell open. “W-What?” She took a halting step forward in disbelief. Lysa’s hand touched her arm to soothe her, but she ignored it. Her voice cracked as she said, “F-Father isn’t even looking for me?”
“No, your highness,” repeated the knight with great sympathy. Behind him, the other knights seemed to pity Ava as greatly and kept their eyes down.
“He has disowned you,” went on the knight. “He believes you did conspire to murder the princes with Liadan,” his eyes went to Liadan briefly, still tinged with fear, “and that you fled your duty and have disgraced your house.”
Ava set her teeth.
“We did no such thing,” Liadan said with calm disgust. She was glaring steadily at the men, as if they had disowned Ava and not her father. “I came upon Prince Cristen attacking fair Ava and slew him in her defense. I had no hand in the other prince’s death . . . but I confess, I did mean to steal away with the princess. That much is true, and for that I shall gladly hang.”
“It matters not, I’m afraid,” said the bearded knight. “The king believes Ava hath betrayed Almara by conspiring to murder her betrothed, and so does King Elric, who demands justice for his sons. He is searching for you, even if King Eyvor is not.”
“I am flattered my father thinks me so daring and cunning,” snarled Ava, “but the ‘king’ is wrong. And ‘twas he who did betray me when he offered me to Almara like a trophy!” Ava waved an impatient hand and commanded, “Enough of this. Tell me what quest my loving ‘father’ did send you on. I should know his doings at this point, even if he doesn’t care to know mine.”
The bearded knight hesitated and glanced at his companions, who shrugged and seemed uncertain. Then he looked at Ava, and deciding it was harmless for her to know the truth, he answered, “Your father hath a bastard son that he would sit on the throne in your stead – or rather, in place of the sons you would have borne your house. He hath sent us forth to retrieve him.”
Ava’s mouth twisted angrily, and she stood there a long time, glaring at the knights. The men appeared frightened and wary, as if they believed Ava would command Liadan to burn them alive with her magick. They were standing so close that they would have had no chance of outrunning the flame.
At last, Ava took a shuddering breath and asked herself why she was angry. After all, she had never wanted the throne. But for her father to immediately assume the worst of her and then disown her so casually! She pushed the anger away and said regally to the waiting men, “Leave Hargendon. Leave now. I don’t care where you go, you shall not share a tavern with me this night. I never want to see the sigil of House Damaris again!”
To Ava’s surprise, the bearded knight bowed, and so did his companions. “Yes, my princess,” he said, backing away. He mounted his horse, so did the others, and then just like that, the knights had disappeared into the mist and snow.
Ava stood staring at the swirling snow where the knights had vanished, trying to hold back tears. A strong hand closed on Ava’s shoulder, and Liadan said gently to her, “Come, my sweet princess. Let us rent a room and retire before the storm has swept us away.”
Ava blinked back tears and nodded, turning and following the others inside.
***
THE ROOM THEY RENTED for the night was simple, small, and warm, with only one large bed, a fireplace, and a small round table in the corner with two chairs. Liadan immediately cast her magick at the hearth, sending warmth throughout the room, and the knights set about unbuckling their armor and getting ready for bed.
Tall Rowan volunteered for first watch and then went to Saoirse, who she lovingly helped out of her armor. Ava watched them fondly from her corner of her eye, knowing the two had been together for years and wondering if she and Liadan would ever be like that, finishing each other’s sentences, knowing each other so well that it seemed to outsiders that they could read each other’s minds.
Ava could tell that Lysa was concerned for her and wanted to comfort her, but sensing that Ava didn’t want to discuss what had happened, the handmaiden went instead to Ethne and helped the Knight of the Sparrow unbuckle her armor, all the while casting anxious glances at Ava.
Ava went to Liadan and helped her out of her armor. When that was done, she turned her back and smoothed her golden hair over her front, exposing her laces so that Liadan’s large, careful fingers could undo them.
The bed was large enough to fit four of them comfortably, and so, Ava, Liadan, Ethne, and Lysa took the bed, while Saoirse volunteered to sleep on her bedroll on the floor near the hearth, and Rowan sat at the small table in the corner, her great hammer in hand, gazing out the window at the snow as she took first watch.
Ava snuggled in between Liadan and Lysa, let her cheek fall against Liadan’s shoulder, and smiled when Liadan’s hard, muscular arm curled strong around her. In that moment, she felt safe and warm and might have fallen asleep, but she could not. She lay awake instead, listening to the slow beat of Liadan’s heart as she fell asleep, listening to the soft breathing of Lysa and Ethne on the other side of her, listening to the soothing sound of the fire crackling on the hearth.
Eventually, Ava met eyes with Rowan, who was watching her with a little smile from her seat at the table. Ava didn’t know what to think of the knight’s curious gaze and shyly looked down.
“My apologies, your highness,” Rowan said, amused. “It’s just . . . I was thinking the two of you are so sweet. I am happy for Liadan. She is like a sister to me and deserves to be loved.”
“And what of Ethne?”
“Eh,” said Rowan, making a face. “She deserves it a little.”
Ava giggled softly. She looked at Rowan curiously and asked, “Were you really coming here to slay a dragon? Everyone knows the dragons sleep during the winter.”
Rowan smiled. “And you would be correct, your highness. There is no dragon here. Saoirse and I came here to marry at the temple.”
Ava’s eyes grew round. “Truly?”
“Aye,” said Rowan softly, happily. “Long have I loved her, and we came here to make it official, that we would be legally recognized as wife and wife and buried side by side should we fall in battle.”
“And we interrupted your plan with our foolishness,” apologized Ava.
“It’s no bother. We could marry at the temple of Eyslath instead. In fact, it might be more fitting given that Eyslath is the goddess of love. The goddess here is a goddess of coin – I mean, there is a decent enough market here. And the goddess back in Wedale was the goddess of corn.” She made a face, and Ava laughed. “For some odd reason, Saoirse did not want to wed at a temple to the harvest. I told her there was no shame in it but . . . Ah well.”
“But why keep it secret?” Ava wondered.
“We did not want Liadan and Ethne to feel guilt or shame that they had so unwittingly interfered with our happiness,” Rowan answered with a laugh. “Liadan is a sensitive sort, and Ethne would have mocked and teased until I lost my temper and put my hammer through her face, and Liadan would never forgive me for that.”
Ava laughed softly. “No, she would not.”
“Tell me,” said Rowan, “where shall you go after Hastow? I would like to know so Saoirse and I could perhaps visit every now and then.”
“Liadan wished to head to Wildoras.”
“Ah. That makes sense. It’s just about the only place you could go where no one could touch you, aside from a temple, and I doubt you’d want to spend your whole life in a temple. Well . . .” Rowan sighed and rose from her chair, hammer in hand, “sweet dreams, princess.”
Ava frowned and sat up on her elbow, her golden hair tumbling in a curtain down the side of her face. “But where are you going?”
“Downstairs to play cards,” said Rowan with a grin. She glanced apprehensively at Saoirse, who was sleeping soundly on her bedroll near the fire. “Saoirse hates it whenever I gamble, so this will be my only chance for a while.”
Ava laughed: what a way to start a marriage. “Fare fortune then, I suppose,” Ava sighed.
When Rowan had gone, Ava turned her back to Liadan and rested on her side against the pillow. She smiled when the knight’s arm closed around her again, pulling her like a little doll into her embrace. Liadan’s nose brushed aside Ava’s golden hair, and Ava sighed as the knight buried hot kisses in her neck and in the soft flesh of her naked shoulder. Liadan’s hand groped hard at Ava’s breast through her slip – which she was sleeping in since Liadan had torn her nightgown back in Wedale.
Ava moaned. “Oh, Liadan . . . How long were you awake?”
“Only the last few minutes,” Liadan whispered between kisses.
Ava stared unhappily at the ceiling, and Liadan paused.
“What is it?” whispered Liadan. She frowning in concern. “Is it your father?”
“That is part of it,” Ava admitted, trying not to think of King Eyvor, trying to hold back tears. “Rowan and Saoirse are getting married. I wonder if we could ever . . .”
Liadan closed her arms around Ava and kissed her cheek. “One day, my princess. But first, let us reach Wildoras and begin lives for ourselves. Then we shall worry about the rest. Hmm?”
Ava smiled. She felt safe in Liadan’s big, strong arms, she felt protected, provided for. She looked into Liadan’s blue eyes and was happy that she still had her, at least. At least.
Without warning, Ava kissed Liadan on the lips. Liadan’s lashes fluttered in surprise, but she happily kissed Ava back, and they lay in the dark, holding each other, as outside, the blizzard raged on.