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Mered made his return visit to Yovan the day before the departure of the Ylandrin forces for Medav. Yovan was surprised to find him quite dressed up. He looked his mate over inquiringly. Mered was not ostentatiously clothed as was his family’s wont. But he was clearly going to attend a social event.
“Havir is hosting a garden party to commemorate the openings of Bank Cordona’s Khitairan branches,” Mered explained. “Everyone who’s invested in the venture will be there. Well, everyone but the highborns.”
Yovan was not surprised the guests would be mostly common-born folk with a smattering of gentry. They always were.
While the Cordonas had succeeded in procuring invitations to some blueblood gatherings, they had not succeeded in getting said bluebloods to return the favor by attending affairs the bankers hosted. It was one thing for the upper class to welcome a few lowborns into their midst and be praised for being magnanimous and open-minded; quite another to grace the latter’s dinners and parties and be misconstrued as stamping them with their seal of approval or, even worse, friendship.
It was a subtle way of warning upstarts to desist from aspiring to enter their hallowed ranks. They could have a glimpse or taste of upper crust life, but that was all. The class structure of Aisen, developed and institutionalized over millennia, was rigidly upheld particularly by the majority of the bluebloods and gentry who would never yield their positions in society without waging war on those who might attempt to displace them.
Yovan peered at his spouse. “I thought you aren’t on good terms with Havir. Why are you attending?”
Mered shook his head. “We haven’t reconciled. But this was planned long before our quarrel and these guests contributed to the success of our venture. A success both Rysander and I have benefited from. Rest assured it’s the last of my family’s affairs I shall ever attend.”
“I see. But if you’re attending, why did you come by?”
“I hoped you would agree to accompany me,” Mered muttered.
“What?” Yovan scowled. “Why in Aisen would I agree to attend anything hosted by your wretched brother?”
“To quash a rumor he spread to punish me for gainsaying him.”
“What rumor?”
“He let out several months back that you’re planning to divorce me because you suspect me of stepping out on you.”
“Sweet Veres. Your brother is lower than the lowest scum in the south district.” Yovan eyed Mered quizzically. “Why address it only now?”
Mered exhaled heavily. “When he started it, few believed him so I ignored what talk there was. But when word of our separation got out, many began to wonder if it was true. This past month, I received a number of... propositions.” When Yovan could not suppress a low growl, he hastened to add, “I rejected them all and none too kindly. A few took umbrage and accused me of belatedly playing the virtuous spouse.” Mered wrapped his hands around Yovan’s. “Please, Van, if you accompany me, it will debunk the rumor. You’re known to be especially gifted. Everyone believes you’d know if I cuckolded you and that’s why you left me. For you to come with me will show you know I didn’t.”
“Not completely,” Yovan pointed out. “I didn’t suspect you of carrying on with Debrith. Or rather I forbore to suspect you.”
He wished he could take his words back when Mered flushed miserably.
Mered let go of his hands and averted his face. “I had no right to ask this of you. I apologize.”
Yovan caught him by the arm when he made to turn away. Mered looked at him with a doleful expression, his eyes brimming with shame. Yovan sighed.
“Let me get dressed.”
“Van?”
“I’ll go with you. I refuse to let Havir get away with maligning us.”
Twenty minutes later, they were headed for the Cordona mansion on the periphery of the west district. The house Yovan and his parents had helped the bankers refurbish into a monument to good taste. But though some gentrification had improved its surroundings, no amount of reconstruction could make the mansion’s enormous size fit in with its modestly sized neighbors. It stood out like a sore thumb to this day.
Yovan had not set foot in the residence since Asrael passed away. But even before the banker’s death, he’d seldom been invited to the affairs the Cordonas regularly hosted for their business colleagues and clients. Now that he knew the reason for his exclusion, Yovan was even less pleased to be on the premises again.
He’d surprised himself when he decided to accompany Mered. He was not really willing to encounter all the Deira his spouse had entertained all these years. No matter that Mered had taken none to bed; there was no guarantee these Deira knew that. Who was to say that some might assume they were merely unlucky not to have been invited to dally with his mate?
The thought that these Deira might believe him a laughable dupe rankled deeply and scored his pride. Consequently, as their carriage drew up in front of the mansion, a part of him longed to back out and return to the Citadel.
His stomach churned as they mounted the steps to the front entrance where they handed their mantles to waiting servants. But he allowed Mered to link arms with him as they strolled across the reception hall to the garden door and out onto the lawn. They looked like a couple whose marriage was far from coming to an end. Yovan hoped playing the attentive spouse would help him ignore the fear that he was actually being viewed as a fool by most.
As soon as they stepped out onto the expansive grounds, the Cordonas hastened to welcome them. Yovan held in his temper while Havir greeted them solicitously as if he had not browbeaten his brother all these years or tried to ruin their good names with scandal and gossip. And Remir acted the doting father, even slipping in a Yovan-min, which was a breach of manners since he was not of equal station to his son-by-law to address him thusly without permission. Yovan was polite and civil but made it clear he was in no mood to keep company with them.
He chose to treat Ovreth and Davre with cool courtesy though he did not think them worth the effort. After all, neither had stood up for Mered. Too often bad things happened because so-called good Deira did nothing.
To his dismay, his presence garnered much more attention than he liked. Indeed, most of the guests eagerly approached him whenever he ended a conversation. Mered stayed by his side to keep these fawning exchanges short and ward off the more aggressive of his admirers. But he could not protect his mate from unsolicited revelations. Not when Yovan was highly mind-sensitive and the guests were by and large Half Bloods who could barely shield their thoughts if at all.
Not only were the majority incapable of blocking incursions into their minds, they also freely broadcast their thoughts. If any were close enough to Yovan, he would hear what they were thinking and thus be exposed to a variety of opinions and beliefs whether he liked them or not. True, he could block these thoughts, but only after he became aware of them which was a bit like closing the stable doors after several equines had already escaped. Thus he was apprehensive when too soon for comfort he picked up a stray thought from a passing Deir.
No wonder Cordona keeps him away from us. How many have tried to lure Seydon away, I wonder.
Yovan blinked. He had not anticipated such an assumption about Mered’s reasons. Before he could ponder it, another thought drifted his way.
Havir is hallucinating. Why would anyone cheat on so splendid a Deir?
Yovan glanced surreptitiously at the guest who was chugging down punch like it was water. He did not know whether to laugh at the derisive assessment of Havir’s state of mind or scoff at what he considered exaggerated appreciation of his own self.
One effect of being a member of a family renowned the world over for great beauty of face and form was that Yovan never developed an inflated opinion of his own charms. How could he when most days he was with kinsfolk who were oft lauded as the fairest of the fair not only in Ylandre but in all Vihandra?
Apparently his conflicted feelings showed in his expression for Mered murmured. “Is something wrong?”
Yovan shook his head. About to speak, he was distracted once again.
What I would give to have him in my bed. Only an imbecile would step out on him.
Yovan scanned the vicinity for the owner of the lubricious idea. His gaze fell on a guest many years younger than Mered looking their way. When the Deir realized Yovan was regarding him, his eyes widened and his cheeks turned pink. But he quickly recovered and tilted his head coquettishly while pursing his lips in a suggestive pout obviously meant to entice Yovan into eyeing him longer.
“Insufferable, lowbred dolt,” Mered growled beside him.
That startled a laugh out of Yovan. A sudden urge to give Mered a taste of the pain he’d dealt him pushed its way to the forefront of his emotions. Shoving aside his normal gallantry, he treated the Deir to a slow teasing smile. Whereupon the Deir beamed at him in delight.
He heard Mered choke and he glanced at him. His mate was looking down, hiding his expression, but his grasp on Yovan’s arm tightened. “Would-would you like me to introduce him?” he mumbled.
Yovan snorted. “Why? Is he an important client?”
Mered lifted his head and gazed at Yovan, hurt clear as crystal in the depths of his eyes. “Nay, but you looked as if you wanted to meet him.”
“Because I smiled at him?” Yovan scoffed. “I wasn’t aware that trying to be pleasant amounts to being interested in someone.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that you were flirting with him.”
“But you did imply it and you were worried that I was interested in him. Which is quite ridiculous. Rest you, Mer, I didn’t come here to pass the time in other Deira’s company, but to scuttle your brother’s rumor-mongering.” Yovan softened when Mered’s expression turned to one of embarrassment. “And if my presence absolves you of faithlessness and shatters Havir’s credibility, all the better.”
Mered stared at him. He then smiled shyly and started to lift Yovan’s hand to his lips. But he seemed to remember himself and peered at Yovan uncertainly. Yovan did not pull his hand away whereupon Mered lightly kissed his knuckles.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
Just then, Ovreth came over and asked Mered to help him welcome guests newly arrived from Khitaira. Mered looked to Yovan for permission.
“Go on, I won’t mind being by myself for a space,” he said, plucking a goblet of wine from a nearby servant’s tray of refreshments.
As soon as Mered walked away with Ovreth, Yovan ducked into one of the ivy-covered gazebos that graced the garden. There was a small bench in one side of the structure and he sat down with a relieved sigh. He hoped the Cordonas’ guests were learned enough to understand it was a common upper crust indication of a desire for privacy.
He had taken a few sips of the wine when he noticed a trio of Deira looking his way. One of them gestured in his direction and said something. The other two nodded in apparent agreement. Curious about what they were saying, Yovan reached out with his mind and extended his senses to listen in on their conversation.
“What in Aisen has Havir been drinking?” the tallest of the three trumpeted. “Does Seydon look like he thinks Mered cheated on him?”
“But they’ve been on the outs for a fair while,” one of the other two said. “Seydon has been staying at the Citadel for a year now.”
“Which doesn’t prove they quarreled because he suspects Mered of infidelity. There are many reasons they could be living apart. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cordonas crossed one line too many and Seydon decided to distance himself from them. Which doesn’t really matter seeing them together. Do they look like they’re quarreling to you?”
“Mered has been clinging to him all afternoon too,” the third Deir reminded them.
“Exactly. Who in his right mind would let someone who’d betrayed him do that?”
“And he wouldn’t have come in the first place.”
“Indeed. What I find even more absurd is the notion that anyone would cuckold the likes of him. Verily, you’d have to be blind to covet another after having had him in your bed all these years. He hasn’t changed much from their wedding day, I can confirm that.”
“Oh, he’s changed,” the second one said with a titter. “He’s got even handsomer.”
“Aye, I truly envy Mered’s good fortune winning such a beauty and royal-blooded to boot,” the third Deir agreed.
“I’ve always wondered myself how Asrael convinced Seydon’s parents to marry him to Mered,” the first one mused. “I mean, Mered is lovely, but he’s nowhere near Seydon’s equal.”
“True that. He lacks Seydon’s refinement, doesn’t he? He’s learned some manners, I’ll give him that. Loads more than Asrael or Remir ever did. But he’s still just a peasant. All the Cordonas are for all their airs. Verily, whatever did Seydon see in him?”
“Maybe he turned on the charm,” the second Deir suggested. “He can be quite the flirt.”
“Not as bad as his brothers. But then their spouses don’t give a fig who they diddle.”
“Or get diddled by! So long as they can wallow in riches, they turn a blind eye. Well, except Lael. He divorced Davre so fast I thought they were still married three weeks after the fact!”
“That’s because Davre was stupid enough not to limit himself to the one tumble with what’s-his-name, got himself with child and then failed to convince Lael that he was the babe’s sire,” the first Deir pointed out.
“How could he when the child looked nothing like him or Lael?” said the third one.
Yovan wrinkled his nose in distaste as the three snickered loudly at the reason for Davre’s broken marriage.
“So it’s true?” the second one asked. “Mered didn’t bed anyone?”
“He’s wed to an Essendri,” the first Deir said. “They’re so gifted they’d know you’re cheating on them before you’d got your breeches off! Think you Mered would take such a chance?”
“Well, I heard he’s pretty close to Isron Debrith. Had him over quite a lot at their homes. Though not recently come to think of it. But we all know how mad Debrith is for him. Mad enough to try and break up his marriage I imagine.”
“He might have tried but I seriously doubt he’s ever come close to sharing Mered’s bed. Have your heard from him lately? He used to keep talking about his grudge against Seydon and how he was cheated out of marrying Mered. If he’d got as far as bedding him, you can wager your life he’d never be able to stop himself from crowing about it. Especially if he could throw it in Seydon’s face. But we haven’t heard a peep from him, have we? Besides, if he believed himself close to taking Mered from Seydon, he would have divorced his spouse by now.”
“That means nothing. He divorced the first two and he was nowhere near luring Mered away both times.”
“They divorced him though he probably didn’t give a fig,” the third Deir corrected. “Maybe even welcomed their departures. Unfortunately, this last one has the forbearance of a saint. Or a taste for martyrdom. In any case, if Debrith wishes to be free of him, he’ll have to do it himself. But he’ll only do so if Mered shows himself willing to leave Seydon for him. Indeed, just one tumble would spur Debrith on but clearly nothing of the sort has passed between them.”
“Well, that certainly puts paid to Havir’s claim. If even Debrith couldn’t get a leg in between the sheets, it’s guaranteed no one did.”
“That’s not really surprising, is it?” the first one said. “I repeat. Why would anyone stray from Seydon?”
“How true. No one can compare. He’s set quite the standard.”
“Indeed. Verily, I’d have tried my luck with him long ago if I’d thought I had a chance,” the third Deir admitted. “But alas, he seems content with Mered. More’s the pity. Did you know he was much sought after for being a veritable bullock back in his university days?”
“Really? Who told you?”
“One of my nephew’s schoolmates overheard his father admit he’d been unable to walk straight after Seydon buggered him within an inch of his life.”
“Mercy! That makes me wish we could check if he’s still endowed thusly!”
“He is,” the first one confirmed. “Some of their servants are loose tongued and like to tell tales about their bedroom romps. Word is Mered limps quite a bit after Seydon’s had his way with him. Sometimes the whole day. Verily, I’ve heard many such stories about the Essendris.”
“Veres almighty! Even the Ardan? Do share!”
At that point, Yovan broke the link to the gossipy trio. He downed the rest of his wine and wondered if he could secure something stronger.
He had not expected their conversation to take a turn for the salacious. Or be so revealing. He had not known the full story of Davre’s failed marriage. Or that the Cordonas’ penchant for whoring themselves for gain was no secret. Nor had he realized how much Debrith desired Mered that he had not bothered to conceal that desire from others. Had even tried to assuage it by exchanging his investments for Mered’s company.
That last revelation left a foul taste in the back of his mouth and he testily plonked his goblet down on the bench and stood up. The bitterness increased when he stepped out of the gazebo to find the aforementioned Deir waiting for him. He was quite nervous if his handwringing was anything to go by.
“I, ah, wish to speak with you, Seydon-dyhar,” Debrith hesitantly said. “I hope you‘ll indulge me despite my lamentable behavior toward you.”
Yovan was tempted to refuse the Deir. But Debrith’s manner stayed him. He looked exceedingly uncomfortable and visibly embarrassed. Yovan decided he wanted to know what lay behind the builder’s discomfiture. Sensing the intense interest in their encounter, he raised a mind barrier that distorted speech to deter eavesdropping rather than led Debrith into the gazebo or to a corner of the garden. That would spark all manner of speculation.
Once he was certain the barrier was in place, he dryly asked, “Are there no secrets amongst these folk? Those three yonder spoke about you just now and in such detail you’d think they resided in your pockets.”
Debrith looked sideways and flushed. “Gossip is as food to them,” he admitted. “It’s hard to keep secrets when everyone minds everyone else’s business. I’m not exempt unfortunately.”
Yovan snorted and gestured to him to continue.
The builder cleared his throat and said, “I was informed by the Ardan’s chief scribe that His Majesty nigh had my Crown warrant revoked. But he didn’t because you requested him not to.”
Yovan’s raised his eyebrows in surprise. “You were apprised of our discussion?”
“It was a warning,” Debrith murmured. “One I would do well to heed. In any case, I thank you for your kind intervention.”
“I didn’t do it out of kindness,” Yovan sharply replied. “I simply felt it wasn’t right to penalize you for an action... instigated by another.”
Debrith winced. “I must also apologize for my actions at Woodmere and...” he hesitatingly said. “And for my intentions. They were unconscionable and I own myself a knave to you.”
Yovan acknowledged the apology with a dip of his chin. “This past year has indeed been most trying,” he agreed. He regarded Debrith curiously. “Why did you pursue that course if you were aware of its wrongness?
The Deir flushed again and then sighed. “I’ve been in love with Mered for as long as I can remember. It devastated me when I learned he’d been promised to you. I confess I’ve resented you all this time.”
“Yes, you didn’t trouble to hide your anger when you saw me back then.”
“So you know it was I. When did you learn this?”
“The day I walked in on the both of you.”
“Oh Veres, I feel more the cad than ever.”
Yovan did not contradict him. He could not be that gracious. “Was your resentment of me your reason for demanding that Mered entertain you?”
“What?” Debrith looked shocked. “I made no such demand. Indeed I was surprised when he started paying me more attention than seemed appropriate for one married to a highborn. I was pleased, of course, and I thought it meant he desired my company. But I most certainly didn’t ask it of him. Who told you this lie?”
“It hardly matters given that the Deir concerned is no longer with us,” Yovan blandly replied while he added another sin to the impressively long list of Asrael’s transgressions. “You say you acted thusly because you’re in love with Mered. Did you believe your feelings returned?”
Debrith cringed then swallowed. “I thought they were,” he said. “Havir hinted to me that Mered wasn’t happy and that were it not for fear of losing access to your son, he might consider leaving you. And there were times you did appear not to be on good terms. I hoped it was because of me; what I possibly meant to him. Then I saw how your departure devastated him and I realized how far from the truth I’d been all along.”
“Devastated? I took his reaction for shock and guilt.”
“Not if you’d seen his face. I’ve never seen such horror and fear and-and grief.” Debrith huffed. “He looked as if he’d lost everything. When I sought to comfort him, he turned on me. Told me he wanted me gone before nightfall. I was still lovesick enough to ask him if he felt something for me.” The builder briefly closed his eyes, shame visible in his features. “He laughed. Said I was a fool if I needed to ask that. He told me the truth.”
Curiosity got the better of Yovan. “What did he say?”
“That he loves only you. That he’d kept me company only to keep me invested in the Cordonas’ ventures.” Debrith grimaced. “Those times he’d shown me... affection... it was all an act. He’d claimed he was afraid of being caught and thus restricted himself to-to touching me... yet he never permitted me to return the favor. But in reality, it wasn’t that he feared we’d be caught. He just never wanted to be intimate with me. He told me he’d forced himself all those times. That he’d loathed having to touch me and always came away feeling unclean.”
Yovan winced. He could imagine Debrith’s humiliation at hearing the truth so brutally laid out.
“That was terribly blunt even for him,” he commented. “But then Mered never did master the finer points of diplomacy.”
“I shouldn’t have been surprised. He was already plainspoken back when we were schoolmates.”
“You’d come to view him through the filter of your feelings for him.”
“It would seem so. I just never imagined he could be capable of deceiving me.”
Yovan shook his head. “I wouldn’t say he deceived you so much as took advantage of your desire for him.”
“You defend him,” Debrith said. “I’m not the only fool if you’ve forgiven him.”
“But I haven’t,” Yovan corrected him. “The trust between us is badly rent. Until it’s mended, I must withhold my pardon. Self-preservation and all that.”
Debrith stared at him. “Would that I’d been as protective of my heart and mind.”
“It does surprise me that he divulged the reason for his actions,” Yovan said. “I wonder if he thought about how it might change your opinion of him and the Cordonas.”
“I think he was too distraught to really care. I tried to call on him here in Rikara. Out of concern, mind you,” Debrith hastily added. “Despite his brusque dismissal, I was still worried about his well-being. Call me a blithering mooncalf but I couldn’t forget how distressed he was when we parted. But he refused to receive me. Your son informed me that Mered didn’t care to add to his list of failings. Or give rise to rumors that would only further smear him in your eyes.”
“You still care for him,” Yovan remarked.
“I shouldn’t. I need to move on. My marriage looks to go the way of the first two. If I don’t change, it will also fail.” Debrith looked away. “I can’t blame my former spouses for leaving me. They knew about Mered. How couldn’t they when I extolled his beauty and virtues in their presence? And they easily guessed why I only handfasted to them.”
“You wanted to be able to free yourself should he and I part ways.”
“That is the toll of it. It shames me to reveal this to you. All the more since I now realize I played a big part in your estrangement.”
“He had the greater part,” Yovan stated. “You didn’t know.”
“Not enough to avoid making an enemy of you and a fool of myself,” Debrith ruefully said. “But I do know he was faithful to you. Believe that at least if nothing else.”
“You truly love him,” Yovan murmured.
He could not help a grudging respect for Debrith not just for his willingness to admit himself in the wrong and apologize, but also for his sincere concern for Mered. It bespoke true and steadfast affection rather than mere desire or a need to prove himself the more deserving Deir. Yovan would never call him friend, but the builder rose a notch or two in his regard.
“I believe it now that I’ve heard you,” he said. “And others as well. It’s easy to pick up thoughts when minds aren’t shielded,” Yovan added when Debrith looked a bit aghast.
The Deir gulped. “Yet your trust in him isn’t fully restored.”
“He gave me much reason to doubt his fidelity and his regard for me. I cannot just set that aside and pretend all is well again. I’m not as forgiving as others.”
“Like me. Ah, how can I still be so blind to his faults?”
“Since I’m as poor of vision when it comes to him, who am I to judge you?”
Yovan noticed Mered looking their way surreptitiously from the garden porch, his fidgeting a clear indication of his anxiety. He decided to end his conversation with Debrith and rejoin his mate. But first, he ventured one last inquiry.
“If I may be so bold as to pry into your business,” he said. “The Cordonas however lacking in scruples do contribute much to Ylandre’s coffers. As such their successes or failures are noted by people whose responsibility it is to track the state of the kingdom’s finances. These Deira are observing the progress of the Cordonas’ ventures abroad. They’ll wonder about the sudden withdrawal of any heretofore loyal investors.”
“You would like to ascertain if I’ll still entrust my monies to them after having been thoroughly led down the garden path.” Debrith pursed his lips. “I don’t mix my personal and business concerns. All my dealings with them have fattened my purse to bursting. So, yes, what monies I’ve already put in I’ll leave in their capable hands. But I shall withhold the remaining portion I’d earmarked until I recover from this... mess. I’ll explain my reasons to Havir in time.”
Yovan smiled thinly. “My thanks for clarifying everything. I trust this is the last time Mered and I will ever see hide or hair of you?” Thoroughly abashed, Debrith nodded. “Well then, I must take my leave. Good day.”
The builder bowed his head to him and they parted. Yovan made his way to Mered’s side. He noted his mate’s anxiety though he tried to hide it.
“Why did you speak to him?” he asked in a small voice.
Yovan shook his head, disliking Mered’s timidity. “On the contrary, it was he who sought me out.”
Mered stared at him, startled. “Wherefore?”
“To apologize for his attempt to take you from me.” Yovan watched the flush that reddened Mered’s cheeks. “He admitted it was wrong of him. He said you told him everything you did with him was forced and unwanted. I must say it was brave of him to admit to such humiliation. He also tried to redeem you in my eyes.”
“That was kind of him given how I treated him,” Mered muttered.
“Well, you’ve always had a gift for charming people,” Yovan pointed out. “Or making them love you.”
“What good is such a gift if the one Deir who matters can resist me?” Mered quietly asked.
Yovan chuckled wryly. “And did he ever claim that he can resist you?” He ignored Mered’s wide-eyed stare and said, “Debrith assured me he won’t pull his investments despite your less than civil parting. It appears that even had you not entertained him, he still would have invested heavily in your family’s business ventures. Incidentally, Havir encouraged his pursuit of you by hinting you weren’t happy with me. That you would leave me if you didn’t fear to lose Rysander.”
Mered caught his breath. “But Asrael claimed Debrith would invest in the Khitaira venture only if I... Sweet Veres, that means all this time I debased myself over a falsehood. And Havir had the gall to tell him I wanted to leave you?” He looked down and swallowed hard. “They lied. They all lied.”
“I think with regards to all the others, they didn’t lie,” Yovan said. “But with Debrith, they wanted to squeeze out a bit more so to speak.”
Mered scowled. “By having me whore myself. I was never more than a tool to them.”
A slow trickle of tears wended its way down one cheek and then the other. He turned slightly and wiped them away quite viciously.
“I’m never coming back here,” he whispered. “I’ll never set foot in any of their homes again and neither will Rysander. They’ve forfeited their right of kinship to him. And they’d better not expect any more help from you! I’ll use the name Cordona no longer. I’ll go to court if I have to. Legally disown them and make sure they can’t contact our son and—”
“Mer,” Yovan gently interrupted. He clasped Mered’s shoulder and rubbed it soothingly. “Rysander is of age. He can cut them off himself if he wishes. All you need do is focus on what you want.”
Mered glanced at his hand on his shoulder, his eyes gleaming. He smiled faintly.
“You’re right, he’s no child any longer. And he hates being coddled, doesn’t he?”
“Give yourself credit for that. If I’d had my way, I likely would have spoiled him into a tiresome brat.”
Mered’s smile brightened. “That’s untrue. You always found a way to dote on him without ever letting him get away with wrongdoings. Small wonder he looks up to you. That he adores you so.” He shyly added, “As I’ve always done and still do.”
Yovan sighed. If only he was not riding to war the following day. Some might not need a proper night’s rest before setting off on a tiring journey and possible battle. Such was not the case with him.
“When I return, we shall talk, you and I,” he promised. Mered gulped and nodded. “I must go. You needn’t leave, I’ll send the carriage back.”
“There’s nothing and no one here worth staying for.” Mered signaled to a servant to fetch their mantles. “Besides, since I won’t be able to see you off, I’d like to bid you goodbye today. In private if possible.”
The servant returned with their mantles. They donned them and left the premises. A meeting of stares between Mered and his father served as their last leave-taking of the Cordonas.
When they reached the Citadel, Yovan bid Mered not to come in with him. “I don’t wish to provide more fodder for gossip than we likely already have just by being together this day.”
But when he saw his mate’s disappointment, he was overcome by impulse and he leaned in to lightly kiss Mered’s cheek.
The small gasp that escaped Mered was quickly followed by a happy smile and a whispered, “Thank you, Van. I— We need you to come home to us hale and whole. Please stay safe.”
“I’ll do my best,” Yovan said. He stepped down from the carriage and turned to say goodbye. “Until I return, take care, Mer.”
He had a last glimpse of Mered’s shining eyes and upturned lips before he closed the carriage door. He watched the vehicle rumble out of the bailey. When he turned around, he noticed how the sentries suddenly stiffened and straightened and looked every which way except in his direction. Most avoided meeting his gaze as he walked the length of the courtyard to the great double doors.
Yovan shook his head and entered the Citadel. He had no doubt what gossip would be bandied about the following day.