Hers to Command (26 page)

“
Elders,
Magisters
, Your Lordships, your Majesty,” Patricio spoke thoughtfully. “I would like to recall our assembly and take their recommendations for those
magisters
who will accompany our cavalry for the tower survey and gate construction. We will then need to bring them together with our scholars to experiment with forming pass-through gates that meet the
Primo's
requirements.” Ari watched thoughtfully as Patricio’s eyes scanned the small group.

“
Elder Eirdale, if you would please tell the bell-ringers to sound the summons.” Eirdale left the chamber.

“
I transfer authority over the High Enclave couriers to you,
Primo
and you,
Segundo
. You will need them.”

Patricio
glanced at the timekeeper hung on the opposite wall. “We are approaching early afternoon.
Docenti
Fourisone, please meet with your senior heads and come up with some suggestions for our gates. Elder Kittredge, gather those who have been chosen to accompany our
rides
and report back here with them following our general session.” Patricio leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers together in thought.

“
We will try to man our towers and gates with members of the High Enclave, willing or not.” Patricio looked at Ari. “For now, is there anything else you require of us?”

Ari
caught Doral and Fleur's eyes. They shook their heads. He nodded toward Patricio in thanks. “That is a good beginning, Elder Patricio. We will work out the military end of things. I would like to dispatch a courier with each of our cavalry
rides
and move them out by tomorrow noon. Hopefully, by week's end the couriers will be returning with news on the status of our sigil towers.”

* * * * *

Fleur snuggled close to
Ari, glad of his warm strength, reassured by his gentle kisses. They had fallen into bed together after a tension-wrought, stressful day with the
magisters
and military commanders. Exhaustion hounded her. Still, something pricked at Fleur’s consciousness preventing her from sleeping.
Oh By Her Light. Not again. Enough. Enough!

“
Ari, is Doral in his rooms?”

“
I don’t know. I thought he was behind us as we came up the stairs. I am stupid with fatigue, though. I could be mistaken.”

She groaned and crawled toward the edge of the bed.
“He’s not doing this again—the idiot.”

“
Where are you going, love?”

“
To get a silly lump of maleness called Doral.”

“
Shall I come with you?”

Fleur sighed.
“No, I’ll be right back.”

She staggered sleepily out of the royal apartments and blinked, owl-eyed at her royal guard.
“Eric.”

“
Your Majesty?”

Not stopping, she wobbled barefoot down the hallway toward the rooms Doral had occupied since before her coronation. She pushed the main door to his chamber open, slamming it against the wall. She gave a soft snicker of amusement.
This is my second entrance via crashing door.
She made her way to the figure now sitting upright in the dark in the large poster bed. Pulling back the bed linens, she grabbed his hand firmly and pulled.

“
What are you about, kitten?”

“
This is the second night you are in the wrong bed. Come.” She grabbed his wrist and turned around, fully expecting him to follow.

“
Fleur, I am naked, wait a moment.”

“
No. I’ve seen it all. Come along.” She pulled forcefully on his arm, yawning sleepily, then staggered backward when he didn’t move. “Doral! Come!” Her naked foot made a slapping sound on the stone floor as she stomped.

With a soft snort, Doral scrambled out of his bed. Fleur marched him, stark naked, down the palace hallway
, holding his hand as if he were a naughty child.

“
Eric.”

“
Your Majesty.”

“
Eric.”

“
Visconte?”

She
smiled inwardly at the confusion she heard in Eric’s voice. Eric’s eyebrows hitting the top of his brow were almost audible. She pulled Doral through the entry to the royal chambers with a sleepy command of, “Close the door, please.” She marched methodically into the bedroom. She stopped long enough at the bedside to pull the covers back and crawled in, pulling Doral along behind her. Snuggling up in her original position against Ari, she finally released Doral’s hand and drowsily patted the bed next to her.

“
Right here, Doral. Pull the covers up, please.” As he settled next to her, she released a heartfelt, contented sigh and sleepily announced, “Perfect.
Now
I can sleep. Don’t make me get you
ever
again.” She reached back and grabbed Doral’s arm, draping it across her waist.

Doral whispered softly into the quietness,
“Sorry about this, Ari. She wasn’t going to be deterred. I would never presume…”

A sleepy snort interrupted his apology.
“Idiot, you heard her. This is perfect. Don’t make her get you again.” Ari’s arm slid down her side to rest on Doral’s hip. Silence descended in the chamber for a moment before she mumbled, “We’ll move your things in the morning. Do try not to flash Sari or Camilla. Nudity like yours and Ari’s gets them agitated.” She yawned widely. “Imagine.”

Doral lay in the soft quiet of the night listening to Fleur and Ari’s even breathing. He was acutely aware of the slight rise of
her
ribcage beneath his arm, the feeling of warmth from
his
hand resting on his naked hip. His soul basked in their touch. Had he ever felt this wanted? The suppressed memories of unbearable anguish flooded back. Yes, someone had cherished and adored him and they had died. He had failed them. He would not fail Ari or Fleur. It didn’t matter what they asked of him.

* * * * *

Dust hung in the air, stirred by the chaos of over one hundred horses and their Verdantian riders filling the inner courtyard to the High Enclave the next morning. In spite of the quantity of animals and men, only the snorting of horses and the jangling and creaking of harness broke the tension-laden quiet. Each group of eleven—eight cavalry riders, their commander, a High Enclave courier and a
magister
— massed under an identifying pennant awaiting orders from their
Primo
and High Lord, Conte DeTano.

Ari
made the circuit of the courtyard, handing written orders to each
ride
commander and discussing the assigned area for inspection and evaluation. He knew each of them by name and many of their men. He spoke briefly with each courier rider, impressing them with the need for all haste in their return. and handing each their royal dispatch pouch.

He spoke in turn with each
magister
about possible locations for gates through the newly existing energy walls. Members of each
ride
would remain to operate and defend the newly constructed gates until the High Enclave could staff them.

Acknowledging
Ari’s instructions with a crisp salute, each
ride
commander barked the orders to “form up.” Under their identifying banner, each unit trotted smartly out the archways.

Pennants flying, horses and men in precise unison,
the sun flashing off their polished brass, the final
ride
commander wheeled his cavalry formation out of the courtyard at a brisk trot. For the briefest moment, Ari felt bereft. Part of him would always yearn for a different path. He missed the feel of a solid mount, the clash of steel, the exhilaration of outwitting enemies in the field of battle, the comradeship of his men at arms. The only battles he fought now were with words. But he could not regret this choice. His place was in Sylvan Mintoth with Doral, at the side of their queen.

A small hand took
his arm. Fleur had come up quietly to join him. “Is that the last of the
rides
?”

“
Mmm.” He nodded.

“Ari, since we have a moment alone, I want to apologize. I used you shamefully.”

He straightened back and looked down at her quizzically.

“The other night, when we first came together as a threesome.” Her small hands petted his chest but she would not look up at him. “When I told you to keep the cockrings on. Doral told me what I did to you was far more cruel than any teasing could be.”

She looked up and held him with earnest eyes. “You wore them during the
Great Rite
. I thought it would be like that. I thought just to taunt you a bit as payback for calling me pig-headed. Doral said it was many times worse. He said it was vicious torture and not to ever do it again. Ari, I am very sorry. Will you forgive me?”

Sincer
e apology shone from those blue eyes of hers. She could never hide anything she felt. He should remind her not to play games for high stakes. He returned her apologetic gaze with an accepting smile. “Forgiven, my Lady.”

“Thank you, Ari.” She wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug
and spoke into his chest.

“
I have been sent to drag you up to the sigil tower, my Lord. Elder Patricio wants us to
come together
on the dais from now on.”

“
Come
together? Fleur, your word choice is
very
suspect.”

She raised her face, h
er eyes lit with humor. “Patricio's words, not mine. He didn't even realize the
double entendre
until I pointed it out to him.”

Ari
groaned. “This will be an interesting week. If we are to spend every afternoon up there, I hope they padded the
diamantorre
well. As I remember, it was decidedly uncomfortable.”

“
Hmm, yes, well, I think Sari and Camilla worked their usual magic. When I last looked, the dais was two feet deep in feather pillows. You will be challenged to find it. Come along, my Lord. Doral is waiting for us.”

* * * * *

Ari looked through the open door to the
Chambre Cristal
. Fleur was correct. The central dais was hidden, overwhelmed with feather pillows and silken
serici
bedding.
Comfort will not be an issue
.

Doral stood gazing out one of the floor-to-ceiling windows ringing the eight-sided chamber.
That window overlooked the now empty courtyard and the eastern road.

“
With any luck, riders will return within the next ten days with the status of our sigil towers,” Doral commented as he turned toward them.

“
Yes,” Ari replied absently.

Fleur
stroked his arm. “Are you content with your decision to remain my consort?”

Ari
straightened. “Of course. Why do you ask?”

“
As the riders departed you wore such an expression of loss. I thought perhaps you wished the freedom to go with them,” she answered quietly.

“
I have seen those shadows, but our
Primo’s
old life has been replaced by us,
Prima
. Us and the defense of Verdantia.” Doral examined Ari’s face carefully.

Ari
frowned slightly. “Shadows? Am I that transparent to everyone?”

“
Hardly.” Doral snorted.

“
We are, perhaps, a little more aware. Your happiness is everything to us, Ari.” Fleur’s eyes shown with love.

Ari
looked at Doral and Fleur, considering. “Should I be offered the same choice a thousand times, a thousand times I would choose you.”

He
stepped forward, taking Doral’s hand and then Fleur’s and pressing both to his chest. “I sacrificed nothing compared to what I gained.”

Fleur
’s eyes caught Doral’s. “Do you think now would be a good time?” she asked gently.

“
If you want me to give him words, it better be soon. I am not good at this sort of thing, Fleur. Give me a blade and a battle anytime. I don’t
do
feelings.” Doral shifted awkwardly and cleared his throat.

Oh
, this is going to be good. She is going to make him ‘talk’. Good luck, sweetheart.
Ari arched his eyebrows in question.

“
My dear Lord and husband, I suggested…”