The Northern Warrior

"Welcome back, oh Mighty Prince Heir!"

"Shut up, Ajay!" Rohit chuckled and locked his cousin in a bear hug. "Missed your irony..."

"It's called wits, dear Rohit. Since this kingdom has two heirs, one has to be smarter," Ajay replied, patting his back.

Rohit let him go to glare at him. "One day..." he threatened.

"What?" Ajay asked with his most innocent smile. "I'm one day older than you, pity my father was born after yours!"

Rohit dismissed the claim with a shrug. Amrendra mostly followed the southern traditions and culture but differed from the others for two main things: it was blessed with four seasons – instead of three led by monsoon rains – and with twin royals, so there were often two interchangeable kings.

At the moment the reigning monarch was Daruka Dahana – Daruka being Rohit's father, and Ajay's father, Dahana, identical twins who'd had their firstborn one day apart, which made the cousins "almost" twins.

"So, what happened at the palace while I was gone?" Rohit asked. "Did you manage to seduce Chandra?"

"Ah, yes." Ajay looked in the distance with a blissful expression. "Worth every minute, every hour..." He focused on his cousin again. "But you're the one who went hunting for a bride. How are the other southern courts?"

"Walk with me." Rohit grabbed his cousin's arm, and as they strolled through the stately corridors of the royal palace, the prince told of his trip to the other kingdoms that had kept him away from his father's palace for nearly three months.

Soon Ajay would leave for his own tour, since Amrendra had officially two prince heirs in need of a bride, but Rohit would always be the "main" heir, much like his father was the main king. Rohit's firstborn – twins, he hoped – would inherit the Amrendran throne.

Rohit had met the princesses of Gajendra, Akkora, Arquon, Rajendra and the neighboring kingdom, Lakeshi.

"I can tell you I don't like Prem of Gajendra," he confided to Ajay. "His sister has lovely golden hair, but the thought of such a haughty brother-in-law..." He shivered in disgust. "All of the princesses were smitten with him, but he obviously didn't consider any of them."

"Yes, he came here, and wasn't impressed with Kareena or my sisters, either," Ajay said as they crossed a sunny courtyard. "So did you travel with him or...?"

"I reached the Lakeshian court at the same time as him. For me it was the last stop of the tour, for him the second, but he left the morning after." Rohit shrugged. "So I had time to talk to the princesses. I like Laxmi, and she liked me enough after haughty Prem's rejection, so..."

"You found your bride!" Ajay enthused. "What about her sister, is she still available?"

"Uh, no, I'm afraid she'll be sent to Arquon. When I left, Prince Suresh had showed up. Maybe one of the Akkoran princesses is still available. Jaya would make for wild nights – but I'd be worried she would soon tire of me and goes looking for some other sport. Soraya... maybe."

"And Rajendra?"

"Ashrita is blind, but her sister Nisha is lovely."

"I guess I'll see for myself soon..." Ajay sighed. "Where are we going?"

"I've missed Master Hiro's lessons." Rohit grinned as they passed through a porticoed building that led to the courtyard where the foreign sword-master exercised every day. "I bet you skipped all his lessons while I was away."

"I'd rather use my wits than my sword-arm," Ajay retorted. "I'm your sparring partner, but if you're not here, I don't see why I should exert myself."

Rohit chuckled as they entered the courtyard and stopped. Blades clung and it took them a moment to find the duelists. Rohit saw his almond-eyed sword teacher but didn't recognize his sparring partner.

"Who is that?" he asked Ajay, frowning in the sun and observing the sword dance of the two men who waltzed around each other with grace.

"Someone who came here and asked for him a couple of months ago," Ajay replied. "Saved me from my exercises since Master Hiro had a new sparring partner."

Rohit glared at him. "You're a lazy bum! You could have used that time to become more proficient!"

"And then what, beat you, oh Mighty Prince Heir?" Ajay teased. "I know you didn't have time to practice – and I didn't want to humiliate you when you came back."

Rohit rolled his eyes and went back to watching the duel. It was almost over, though, and the sparring partners bowed at each other before heading for the two elegant young men.

"Welcome back, Prince Rohit," Hiro said. "Was your journey productive?"

"I found what I was looking for," Rohit answered with a curt bow to his teacher. "Did you take on a new student?"

"This is Gaia, who came here to discuss my wretched cousin and then stayed to learn a few new tricks."

"I know something about wretched cousins." Rohit said with a glance at Ajay who chuckled, then nodded at Gaia. The foreigner must be young since he didn't need to shave. He had long, light-brown hair like most barbarians from the north. Rohit knew Hiro had a half-blood cousin who lived in the neighboring Gallian Kingdom, and assumed the young sparring partner must come from the same place. There weren't many blue-eyed people in the southern kingdoms – except Gajendra.

"Welcome, Gaia. Will you be staying long?"

"No, I leave now if you want," Gaia answered. Definitely a boy's voice, but he'd looked quite good with his straight sword. Even against Hiro's curved blade. "Sorry, not good at your language yet."

"Not bad after two months." Hiro smiled fondly at Gaia. "It's easier than the Islands Empire's language."

"Still much different from Gallian," Gaia insisted.

"I think you're doing fine," Rohit said. "I have never bothered learning the northern languages, since there is no communication or trade between us."

"It's because you think they're barbarians and they think the same of you," Hiro said with a smile.

"What? But they are barbarians!" Rohit protested. "Long hair, long beards, no bath chambers, ugly, dirty towns – your words..."

"Much harsher climate, much colder winters, much more hostile environment. Yes, yes," Hiro continued.

"So why do they consider us barbarians?"

"Not barbarians, but weak and lascivious," Gaia said.

Rohit stared at him shocked, then frowned. "Would you like to try my weakness in battle?"

"I not speak for me, but for my people," Gaia replied. "I'm here to learn. Can I stay?"

Rohit glared at him, but the boy simply grinned.

"Well, show me you haven't forgotten what I taught you," Hiro said. "Fight with Gaia."

"Why would I fight a boy half my age?" Rohit protested.

Hiro raised his eyebrows and Rohit knew better than argue with his sword-teacher. He snorted and unsheathed his saber.

Gaia unsheathed his sword and bowed. Rohit attacked, but Gaia parried and then fought back. The boy might be young, but he definitely knew how to handle his northern blade. Rohit was impressed by the boy's prowess.

"Ajay, you take Gaia's place," Hiro ordered. "You both need a lot of practice."

Ajay moaned, but obeyed. Rohit felt more confident with his usual sparring partner and the mock duel ended quickly with Ajay's defeat.

***

"So, what do you think of the local prince heirs?" Hiro asked, seated on the floor of his empty room. He didn't have furniture except a thick carpet to sleep on and a low stool he used as bed-table for an oil lamp and a basin.

"Two prince heirs, how twisted is that?" Gaia muttered. "One would be already dead in the north!"

"And they're not even real twins like their fathers." Hiro chuckled. "What do you think of Rohit?"

"He's good-looking and probably your best student so far, but why does he think I'm a boy half his age?" Gaia answered, a little puzzled. The trays they'd brought in from the kitchen lay empty of food in front of them.

Hiro chuckled. "Because over here names ending in 'A' are usually male. And you don't look much like a woman, yet. More like a boy half his age!"

"Thank you, Hiro!" Gaia snorted. "Why don't you explain to him that I'm a northern warrior woman?"

"He'd feel threatened, Gaia, dear. You're here because I'm passing you off as one of my students, and they all assume you're a boy. I doubt the twin kings would approve of a foreign mercenary at their court."

"Warrior woman."

"There's no such thing here and further south."

"See why we consider them barbarians?" she snorted again. "They use women only for one thing!"

Hiro burst out laughing. "Tell that to our soon-to-be betrothed Prince Rohit! And yes, I know you're not a breeding cow."

Gaia rolled her eyes. "We're not all like your wife," she grumbled. Hiro's wife had died in childbirth, but Kenuwee hadn't even made it to the altar yet. Hiro's cousin, Kenuwee had been even more unlucky with women.

"One day you'll find a man you want to spend your life with," Hiro said. "Your concern for Kenuwee is touching, but he could say the same about you. Still unattached at your age... you'd be considered an old spinster over here."

She scoffed. "Glad they think I'm a boy, then. I'm not marriage material."

"And neither is my cousin, so stop worrying for him."

Gaia thought Hiro could be very frustrating, but he was probably right. She shouldn't worry so much about a fellow mercenary. She knew what their lives were like. Both of them had lost loved ones.

"If I decide to explore further the southern kingdoms, should I pass myself off as a boy?" she asked, thoughtful. She'd had enough of the cold northern winters, she wanted to try the south and see if she could find a place to call home.

"You could, but traveling alone isn't safe." Hiro shook his head. "I should finish my work here soon, so if you want, we can go together. I'm sure the king will recommend me to the other kings after I show him how good Prince Rohit is."

"It's because you're a good teacher." She smiled.

"And I arrived here when the old sword-master died. I filled in a void. I was lucky."

"You'd be back in the Islands Empire already if you hadn't stopped here." She pondered. "Maybe I should try to reach the Amazons Country. That's probably the only place where I could be a sword-teacher."

"If you've had enough of wars, that's a solution." He nodded. "We could take a ship to the Islands Empire and from there you can continue to the Amazons Country."

"So you've had enough of the southern kingdoms."

"Let's say I miss my home country. I've been away for too long. I should take a second wife and try again to start a family."

Gaia sighed. She might be sick of mercenary life, but she wasn't ready to settle and start a family either.

***

Rohit had promised his father he'd give a demonstration of what Master Hiro had taught him after the betrothal. But he needed to prepare – not that he'd lost any of his prowess during his trip, but he wanted to make sure everything went smoothly – so he trained alone every day with his teacher.

Sometimes the strange foreign boy watched them, sometimes who knew where he was. Rohit knew Master Hiro would leave after his final exam and couldn't blame him for taking on another student.

A few days before the betrothal and final exam, he came up with a few questions and doubts, and decided to talk with Hiro before the teacher left for good. The almond-eyed man had spent almost ten years at the Amrendran court, teaching princes and young noblemen, but Rohit felt like he didn't know him at all.

So he headed to the swords-master’s room in the servants' wing of the palace, but found him in the servants' courtyard, seated on a bench with his blue-eyed student.

Rohit stopped dead in his tracks, noticing how intimate the two seemed to be. They were not related, as far as he knew, so it wasn't a brotherly or fatherly relationship. Hiro had one arm around Gaia's shoulder and the boy had put his head against him, as if looking for protection. Maybe they weren't lovers – yet – but Rohit narrowed his eyes and clenched his teeth, all questions and doubts forgotten.

"You think he likes men?" Ajay protested when he told him. "But he never tried anything with any of us!"

"Maybe he likes them very young," Rohit replied. "I think Gaia sleeps in his room."

"But it's disgusting! Have you asked Gaia what's going on? If he's been abused by his teacher..."

"He didn't look abused." Rohit pondered. "I will have to ask either of them, and since Master Hiro intimidates me, I guess I'll have to talk to Gaia..."

***

Gaia was surprised to see Prince Rohit walk straight up to her. She rose from the carpet she was sitting on – those southern barbarians didn't use stools, damn them! – and waited, wondering what he wanted.

"Master Hiro is not here," she said hesitantly.

"Good! I mean, I want to talk to you," Rohit said. He added something too fast for her to grasp the question.

"Slowly, please." She'd become good at understanding the Amrendran dialect, but she still had problems finding the words when she needed to speak. Rohit cleared his throat, obviously embarrassed by what he'd come to say. He repeated the question slower and this time she got it.

"You... sleep with Master Hiro?" he asked.

"I sleep in his room, yes. On the floor, like him." Well, on the thick carpet with a couple of pillows – which was normal for Hiro, but she was starting to miss the cots and beds of the north. The Amazons Country sounded more civilized than Amrendra at the moment. Although maybe Amrendrans did use beds, it was just Hiro who... but why was Prince Rohit so nervous?

"Are you lovers?" he blurted out.

"Gods no!" she replied without thinking. She'd known Hiro for a long time, but there was never anything between them. Just the normal camaraderie between men-at-arms. No lust whatsoever. If she really had to choose, she preferred Kenuwee to Hiro.

Prince Rohit looked relieved, and Gaia suddenly realized what that was about. Since she was about to leave, she thought she could admit to the prince she wasn't "a boy half my age."

"Prince Rohit, sorry for misunderstanding..."

"Oh, no, no, I'm sorry I thought..."

"You thought because Hiro not explain."

"Explain what?" Gray eyes widened in surprise. Gods, the prince was handsome!

"Gaia is for females in Gallian," she explained.

"Oh!" He looked more puzzled than ever. "You're a woman?"

She nodded. Not that she was as curvy as the local women, especially since she didn't wear their tight-fitting bodice but loose tunics and breeches, but still... nobody had ever mistaken her for a boy in the north.

"A warrior woman?" he insisted. The concept was too alien for him. Women were forbidden to touch weapons in his kingdom.

She nodded again.

"Ah!" He stared at her, then shook his head. "Barbarians."

She chuckled. "Why? Because everybody can defend home? Because women go hunting with men?"

"They do? It's not natural! A warrior woman or a huntress..."

"Tell that to the Amazons."

"It's a land far far away, must be a legend. You come from our neighboring kingdom. Only a river and a few hills divide us, not the ocean."

Gaia sighed. "We rose from the ashes of the Moren Empire. We have harsh country. Wild beasts. Demons: Witches. Bandits. We had dragons. Of course we must defend our home. Men and women."

She hoped she used the right words. He seemed to understand. He still looked at her as if she'd turned into a dragon, but she noticed also a new respect.

"How old are you?" he asked, frowning in concentration.

She smiled. "Older than you. I was mercenary for ten and five years." She showed her hands, since she couldn't remember how to say "fifteen".

His eyes widened again. "Fifteen... years?"

"I'm a veteran yes. And I'm tired of it."

"Will you stay here and rest?" he suggested.

"Doing what?" she asked, puzzled.

"Whatever women do in time of peace in your country," he said.

They breed, she thought sourly. Although I wouldn't mind trying your bed, if you have one, my charming prince...

***

In spite of being very busy with his betrothal and princely duties, Rohit still had time to think. He'd spent a couple of months abroad, exploring the world, but nothing had prepared him for what he'd found upon returning home.

A warrior woman. That was something he had never dreamed of. He couldn't even imagine one – until Gaia had revealed to be a woman and not a boy. Yes, he had heard of the Amazons, but he really thought they were legend. And now he had discovered there were warrior women very close to home as well. He should have known, considering how proficient she was with her sword. She was obviously an expert, albeit used to a different kind of warfare and weapons.

More and more often his thoughts went to her, and curiosity bit him. He really wanted to know more about her, but didn't have time to linger when Laxmi of Lakeshi reached the palace and they prepared for the betrothal.

The ceremony took place in the great hall, with all the noblemen of Amrendra attending – but not his sword-teacher or the warrior woman. Ajay was there but would leave the morning after for his tour of the southern kingdoms in search of a bride.

And then Princess Laxmi was settled at the palace, waiting for the wedding, and Rohit had his final exam with Hiro, in front of King Daruka Dahana and their court dignitaries.

Unlike the other southern kings, the rulers of Amrendra didn't wear a bejeweled turban, but a golden circlet. Even the clothes were slightly different since the weather was more temperate. While Arquon, Rajendra, and Akkora were swept by a seasonal monsoon, Amrendra had four seasons and dressed accordingly.

They imported fabrics from the south, unlike the northern barbarians, and women wore long gowns but covered their bellies, and their veils were not as long as the southern sari. Princess Laxmi was an exception at the Amrendran court, with her gown in the Lakeshi style, but when the winter arrived, she'd probably have to cover her body a little more.

It was still summer when Rohit fought Hiro in the main courtyard under the sun. He did the sword dance concentrating on the steps, but as he bowed at his father and uncle, he wondered what a real duel would be like.

"Your Majesty, I have nothing else to teach your son," Hiro said with a proud smile. "Unfortunately I couldn't do much with the other heir," he flashed a smile at Rohit's uncle, "so I ask your permission to leave and go back to my home country."

The king exchanged an amused glance with his twin brother who was trying to remain serious.

"Ajay is a man of letters, much like me," Dahana said. "Rohit is the warrior, like Daruka."

The twins were identical, but Rohit could tell his father from his uncle. He smiled at both and bowed, wondering if Ajay had reached his first destination yet.

"You may leave," the king said with a benign nod to the foreign teacher.

"Don't leave just now," Rohit whispered threateningly as they left the kings' presence. "Not without a proper good-bye."

"I will leave soon, though," Hiro replied. "I need to check with the captain when the next tide is."

"You already found a passage home?" Rohit protested while they put away the weapons in the armory and refreshed themselves at the water basins provided by servants.

"I've known this day would come for two weeks now," Hiro reminded him with a smile.

"Why don't you stay for my wedding?"

"Because I won't be able to attend, just as I couldn't be present at your betrothal."

"I'll ask my father..."

Hiro put his hand on Rohit's mouth, silencing him.

"I'm not a noble and not interested in royal weddings. It was a pleasure teaching you and Ajay, but now it's time I move on. Your cousin is a poet, not a warrior, like your uncle said, and there's nothing else for me to do here."

Rohit sighed and his shoulders slumped.

"I need to go now, but don't you dare leaving without a proper good-bye," he repeated.

And mostly, don't leave with Gaia without telling me. He'd noticed her in a corner during his mock duel, and didn't want her to leave yet. He'd have to talk her into staying a little longer.

***

Gaia had gathered her few belongings and followed Hiro into the servants' courtyard, headed for the exit of the palace, when the prince heir appeared. Gaia observed admiringly the handsome young man sauntering towards them with a determined expression.

"You're leaving already?" Prince Rohit asked, stopping in front of them.

"Yes, the tide will soon allow my ship to leave Delen's port," Hiro answered.

"And you? Are you going with him?" The gray eyes stared at her with worry.

"No, I not to go abroad for now," she said. "I am return to my homeland." It was complicated to explain why she wasn't ready to leave the land that had birthed her. Maybe she only needed a break from her northern routine, and now that she'd spend three months in the Amrendran palace, she felt ready to go back to the Gallian Kingdom. There were too many temptations down here, especially now that the charming prince was back.

"Why don't you stay a little longer?" he insisted. "I'm sure you can teach me other fighting tricks Master Hiro couldn't show me."

She chuckled. "You live in peace! What do you need to learn fight for? Master Hiro is the best swordsman alive. I not teacher."

Hiro smiled and shook his head. "Don't be so dumb," he said in Gallian. "You know what he really wants."

"Of course I do, and why should I comply?" she retorted.

Hiro shrugged. "You're a grown woman, do what you want." He switched back to Amrendran and bowed to the prince. "Forgive me, my lord, but I really must go or the ship will leave without me. I wish you joy and happiness for your upcoming marriage."

"Have a safe trip," Prince Rohit answered with a smile. He watched Hiro leave, then stared back at her. "So, will you stay or not?"

"I'm tired of sleep on the floor," she said.

"I'll give you a room with a bed," he said.

"Why, you have beds?" she asked. She should have known it was Hiro's habit of sleeping on the floor that meant there was none in his room.

She followed him and he took her to another part of the palace – more luxurious, with painted tiles and embroidered curtains and plush sofas.

"Not servant quarters," she said as he let her in an antechamber with two doors on the side walls opening on a balcony of sculpted marble. The room wasn't as barren as Hiro's had been, with a thick carpet and cushions to sit on, a low table to eat or write, and a small library of rolls and parchments.

"No," he said. "This is my room. Bath chamber," he pointed to the left door, "and bedroom," he pointed to the right door.

She looked at him. "And you have a bed."

"Real bed," he assured with a dazzling smile.

"What about your betrothed?" she asked.

"She has her own room. We'll both move in a bigger apartment after the wedding, but you can stay here as long as you want."

"It's the prince heir's room."

He nodded. "Want to check it?" He waved towards the doors.

She averted her eyes from his slightly flushed face – he must be embarrassed or shy in spite of everything – and walked to the bedroom, determined.

A double bed with silken curtains! She dropped her travel bag and went to try it. So soft! These southerners know how to make beds! She sighed in bliss, lying down on the embroidered bed cover.

A real bed. With a handsome young man in it. Why not. She could extend her stay until his wedding – it would just be another month. It would be barely the beginning of the fall when she went back north, and she'd still have the winter months to relax in front of a fireplace with someone.

He lay down next to her and she could feel his eyes on her. She rolled on her side to face him.

"I never had such luxury," she said.

"But you've had men?"

"Of course. I told you I'm older than you."

"How come you didn't marry a northern warrior?"

She shrugged. "Not the marrying type," she muttered.

Mercenaries didn't live long. She'd been lucky. Both she and Kenuwee, but not the partners they'd found. When she thought that only she and he were still alive from their first warband...

"I'm sorry, not good with your language," she apologized. Prince Rohit looked as if he wanted to know more, but didn't know where to start. "I hope I'm not here to talk?"

He averted his eyes and chuckled nervously.

"No, yes, I mean, I'd love to get to know you better, but I don't know where to begin..."

"Mm... I see." She grinned. "Get the obvious out of the way first."

She grabbed his clean-shaven face and gave him a long kiss that took his breath away. He tasted good. And after the first input, he didn't need anymore prodding to start exploring her with his hands and lips.

***

Rohit was in love. Gaia was not like any woman he was used to – she didn't use makeup or take care of her body like the southern women – but she made him happy. The discovery of the foreign woman's body and mind had him enthralled.

Sometimes they exercised together in mock duels in an inner courtyard, sometimes they battled under the bedsheets or in the pool of his bath chamber. They didn't talk much, since she didn't have enough of a vocabulary to have long, philosophical conversations with him, but he didn't care.

He treasured his free time, when he could retire to his room and be with her. She was sweet and sometimes very passionate, but never said "I love you." And she knew the Amrendran words for love, but she didn't use them.

"You will be married soon," she said. "You will forget me."

No matter how much he denied it, she laughed it off. She wouldn't stay forever. Not as a guest, not as a lover, not as a concubine.

"Think present. Don't dream of future."

"But I don't want you to leave!"

"When your father finds out, he sends me away."

"No, he won't!"

"Yes he will."

It was sometimes frustrating, but she was probably right. That was probably the reason he hadn't even told Ajay – who had shared all his past adventures and crushes – that he had brought a woman to his bedroom and was mad about her. Well, that and the fact that Ajay was abroad. He could write him a letter, but he didn't know where to send it anyway.

He was really torn between duty and love. Sometimes he wished to run away with her and hide in the north, but when he mentioned it to her, she laughed.

"You're too sweet for north," she said tenderly. "And you're prince heir. You can't."

Probably the fact that she enjoyed his company but didn't love him had much to do with her replies.

Rohit decided to take what he could in the present and stop daydreaming about a future with the tough foreign warrior woman.

***

Gaia enjoyed Prince Rohit's bed and company, but since Hiro had left she had a lot of free time to ponder. What had brought her to Amrendra. Why she'd stayed.

Reaching the capital of a neighboring kingdom was a decision she'd made after a vicious spring of battles with her latest mercenary warband. She'd lost count of how many friends had fallen on the battlefield and she had started a quest for peace.

At eighteen she'd joined her first mercenary commander, after four years of training and fighting for her own village that had been eventually destroyed by raiders. Of her first warband, she still remembered all the faces – mostly young men, but also a couple of other warrior women who'd had enough of being victims.

When their captain had been killed a few years later, they had disbanded, reforming other groups with other people. Whenever they met in the northern towns where they all went looking for work, they updated each other.

Some had retired to marry and start a family, buying a piece of land with their earnings. Some had died on the field. One of her lovers had frozen to death on a particularly harsh winter.

If she looked back at all her fighting years, Gaia had both good and bad memories. But maybe she'd had enough of the bloodshed and now, at thirty-something, she felt old and tired and wondered if she should retire like her first boyfriend who was now the happy father of six.

Younger warriors were now fighting with the mercenary troops, so she had decided to look up her old companions – the ones who were still alive, that is. And the only one who was still fighting, besides her, was Kenuwee, a half-blood with an almond-eyed father from the Islands Empire and a Gallian mother.

She couldn't find him, but she knew he had a cousin at the Amrendran court, hence her journey south. She'd met Hiro on the battlefield with Kenuwee, but he was one of those who had retired to start a family – except he'd been unlucky and had lost his wife too soon.

They'd spent three months dissecting their past lives and Kenuwee's, before Hiro had gone back home. Gaia enjoyed Prince Rohit's attentions, but she also realized the young man was falling in love – something he couldn't really afford.

So she was thinking of resuming her quest for Kenuwee without waiting for the now impending royal wedding when his former companion-at-arms found her. She was headed for the kitchens – since she wasn't invited at the king's table, she ate with the servants, much like she had done with Hiro – when a maid told her someone had come for Master Hiro, but now wanted to see her.

Gaia headed for the servant's quarters and her heart filled with joy at the sight of the tall, dark-haired man waiting in the courtyard. He was even clean-shaven for a change.

"Kenuwee!" She greeted him with a broad grin. "If you're looking for your cousin, you're late!"

"So I've heard," he replied with a smile. "And what are you doing here?"

"Giving lessons to the prince heir, what else," she answered, stopping in front of him and putting her hands behind her back to stop her urge to throw her arms around his neck.

"Really? Lessons in what?" he teased.

"Whatever Hiro couldn't teach him." Gaia chuckled. "He's gorgeous, by the way, and has class..."

"And wealth and a throne waiting for him... So you're becoming a concubine?"

"No way! I was actually getting ready to leave."

"And where will you go next?" Kenuwee crossed his arms on his chest and stared at her, skeptical.

She shrugged and gulped down the sudden lump in her throat.

"I've been thinking of going back north. I wanted to find you – but since you're here... anywhere is fine. Suggestions?"

Kenuwee pondered, then shook his head. "Not really, no. I'm kind of sick of fighting."

Gods bless you! So am I!

Suddenly her hands whipped out from behind her back and grabbed his head. She pulled him closer and kissed him. That felt good. She should have done it years ago.

"What was that for?" he asked, puzzled and not as breathless as Rohit had been the first time.

"Mm... missed you, Ke," she admitted, still holding his face. "How about spending next winter together in front of a fireplace?"

Kenuwee took her in his arms and held her tight. "You sure it's a good idea?"

Gaia nodded as a smile blossomed on her face.

***

Rohit couldn't find Gaia when he retired to sleep. Her things were still in his room, but she wasn't. He went to bed, a little worried, hoping she'd join him during the night.

But dawn came and his bed was still empty. He rose and went to call his personal servant.

"Have you seen Gaia?"

"He left for dinner, as usual," the man said with a deep bow.

Still in his night caftan, Rohit headed for the kitchens where only a cook and his assistant were already up. They hadn't seen Gaia the night before.

The servants' quarters were a little more lively than the palace at that early hour, and the prince's sudden visit threw most into confusion. Finally a shy maid told him about the visitor looking for Master Hiro who had retired in the teacher's former room with Gaia.

Frowning, Rohit thanked her and reached the still bed-less room. Gaia and the stranger lay on the carpet in each other's arms. Both had warrior senses, though, because they both jerked awake when he opened the door.

"Oh, it's you." Gaia dropped her knife. "What time is it?" She squinted at the light from the narrow window.

"Morning," Rohit said through clenched teeth.

"Sorry." She yawned. "Fell asleep. On the floor. Now I hurt everywhere." She stretched before grabbing her tunic and covering herself. "Can I get my things in your room?" she asked, rising to put on her breeches.

"Who is he?" Rohit asked coldly, barely glancing at the man with her.

"Hiro's wretched cousin." She repeated the teacher's words with some effort. "Kenuwee. Prince Rohit."

The other man bowed his head, but didn't say anything. Maybe he didn't speak Amrendran.

Rohit didn't care. He kept staring at Gaia. So the day had come. She would leave. She refused the honor of staying with him.

"If I beat you in a duel, will you stay?" he asked somberly.

She stared at him, puzzled. "Why? You know I beat you."

He repressed a sigh. She was right.

"Come and get your things."

Gaia said something to Hiro's cousin, then followed Rohit back to his room. She grabbed her things, then turned to look at him, her expression serious.

"Rohit, you marry in two days. Forget me."

"But I can't!" He hugged her and squeezed her. He didn't want to let her go. "I love you, I want you to stay!"

"You are prince heir," she answered gravely. "You do your duty."

Rohit wanted to cry. He let her go and turned his back on her. "Go!" he screamed, desperate. "Just go!" He sobbed once, then managed to control himself.

When he turned to look, she was gone.

***

Ajay came back for Rohit's wedding. He hadn't completed the tour, but since he'd found Nisha of Rajendra suitable, he'd seen no need to continue his journey.

"Haughty Prem is marrying the blind princess," he informed Rohit with a snigger.

Rohit didn't react. His cousin's chatter didn't really register with him as he prepared for the ceremony.

And then the priest blessed him and his bride.

Rohit closed his eyes under the shower of petals, but couldn't smile. He was now a married man, but he was heartbroken.

"What's with you?" Ajay asked him as they lay on the cushions during the wedding banquet. "She's pretty, she's nice, I'm sure you'll both be very happy!"

Rohit sighed. "Ever been in love, Ajay?" he asked sourly.

"Hundreds of times!" Ajay chuckled. "And so were you. So what? Just because you're married, you think women will start refusing you?"

"That's not what I mean." Rohit lowered his eyes. "I mean true love, Ajay," he whispered.

Ajay's smile faded away as he slowly realized what was wrong with his cousin.

"You fell in love?" he asked, now worried. "For real? Who?"

"The northern warrior. Gaia."

"What?" Ajay almost screamed in outrage.

"A warrior woman," Rohit continued, looking him in the eyes.

"You mean... Gaia was a woman?" Ajay asked, incredulous.

Rohit nodded. "The so-called squire slept in my bed. But then Master Hiro's cousin came... and stole her from me."

Tears blurred his view, but he gulped them down and quickly dried them with his hand. Enough crying for that woman.

Ajay was speechless. But after Rohit confided him of his secret love, he was very helpful. Ajay admitted he'd had a broken heart too once,

"Someone who fell for you," he said with a rueful smile. "I know, it hurts. But you'll get over it."

Rohit took a deep breath and stared at his bride.

"Of course. I'm prince heir. I do my duty," he whispered.

He wondered where Gaia was. Probably back home with her new lover. Who knew if she'd end up marrying him.

"I'm not marrying material," she'd said.

Laxmi smiled shyly at him and he decided his mourning must end. He smiled back at his bride, thinking the Lakeshian princess was a much better match for him than a wild northern warrior woman. In this, at least, maybe doing his duty wasn't so bad after all.