By Chance Met (23 page)

“It won’t be enough to exercise my rights and privileges. I’ll need to fulfill my duties and obligations, too,” Naeth said, sending Reijir a small lopsided smile. “Saints! I wasn’t raised for this. I don’t feel comfortable with—” He waved a hand to encompass the stuffy elegance of the chamber. “With this!”

Syvan nodded. “Morel didn’t think too highly of his circumstances either. He used to complain about the restrictions placed on him. Admittedly, Uncle Albran was quite a stickler for proper behavior, and he and Morel were oft at odds because of that.”

“Truly? No wonder
Aba
thought a life with
Adda
more rewarding. He must have felt smothered here.”

“Indeed, sometimes the lesser choice can be the richer one.”

Naeth looked at his uncle in some surprise. Thus far, Syvan had seemed as

hidebound by convention as the late Albran Fiori.

“You’re the last of my kin, Uncle,” he suddenly said. “I hope we can get to know each other better.”

It was Syvan’s turn to look surprised. He glanced at Reijir then nodded and said,

“Well, of course, that goes without saying.”

Naeth faintly smiled. Not exactly an effusive response but it was in keeping with Syvan’s reticent personality.

“One other matter,” he said. “You’re probably aware by now of my relationship with Lord Arthanna. I would like to know if you have any objections to my being his leman.”

This time Syvan turned beet-red. Naeth suppressed a sigh and looked sideways at his amused lover.
Definitely a stickin-the-mud sort
, he thought.

“It is highly irregular for your position,” Syvan finally said. “But as you began your, er, liaison with His Grace before you learned of your heritage, I suppose one cannot fault you for wishing to maintain it. I only hope you will be discreet when you are in residence in Irdaran.”

“Then you won’t forbid me to continue our—liaison?”

“I’m hardly in a position to tell you what you may or may not do,” Syvan answered a little stiffly. “But if I understand the situation and you decide to refuse the title and estate, you will remain a dependent of His Grace?”

“That is correct,” Reijir said before Naeth could reply.

Syvan pursed his lips. “Well, in that case, it would be imprudent to burn your bridges with Lord Arthanna.” He hesitated then asked, “Are you really considering declining your inheritance?”

“I’m inclined to do it,” Naeth said. “But I shouldn’t be completely dependent on His Grace either. That wouldn’t be right. And besides, I enjoy earning something for my efforts. Ruomi has taught me the dignity of honest work,” he added, smiling at the adjutant who had entered the study with a bottle of Reijir’s favorite Ilmaren cordial Ruomi smiled back and poured a glass for Reijir. “His Grace and Lord Keiran make it easy,” he murmured.

Reijir smirked. “Hardly easy where Keiran is concerned,” he quipped. “Unless

you’re referring to the benefits he bestows on you for serving him so well.”

Faint color warmed Ruomi’s cheeks, but he only huffed a soft chuckle and, after informing Reijir that he would have warm baths drawn for them, left the study.

Syvan stared after him a little pop-eyed. “Well, I never—” he started to say. Then seeming to recall where he was, he cleared his throat and said, “Are you suggesting the estate provide you with a stipend?” When Naeth nodded, he said, “It’s never been done before, but I imagine it can be arranged. A generous annuity perhaps for the length of your lifetime?”

“That would be perfect,” Naeth said, beaming with approval.

“
If
you refuse,” Reijir reminded him. “You’ll always have a place in my household regardless of your choice. But it’s no small matter to turn your back on your heritage.”

“It needs serious consideration,” Syvan agreed. ”The legalities will have to be observed, and they are considerable.”

“That is nothing compared to the loss of one’s entire history,” Reijir retorted a little severely.

“
Aba
did it,” Naeth said.

“Your
adda
gave him sufficient cause.”

“Who’s to say I have none of my own?”

Reijir’s eyes glittered unfathomably. “Who’s to say indeed?” he murmured. He rose to his feet. “Take as much time as you need, Naeth-
min
. This is much too important a decision to be rashly made.”

“I have been thinking!” Naeth complained. “Saints! I was so sure that’s what I wanted, but now you’ve got me wondering if it’s the right decision.”

“Better to delay your choice than have cause for regret later.”

“But you will take care of him if he declines,
Dyhar
?” Syvan carefully prodded.

Reijir glanced at him with some irritation. “I said I would. Goodnight, Fiori-
tyar
.”

“Er, goodnight, Your Grace.”

Naeth bade his uncle goodnight as well and followed Reijir out of the study.

“You don’t like him very much,” he remarked as they walked to their rooms.

“I’m not fond of pedants,” Reijir said. “And for someone who’s found long lost kin and the last of them at that, he’s singularly lacking in warmth and enthusiasm.”

“We barely know each other,” Naeth ventured. “Perhaps he’ll thaw when we’ve become better acquainted.”

“For your sake, I hope so.”

Naeth shed his nightshirt and, after hanging it from a hook on the wardrobe door to air, pulled out a pair of tan breeches and a dark brown tunic. It was now three days into their visit, and Reijir had suggested they ride to Irdaran that Naeth might get to better know the town of which his family was patron and also provided the bulk of the estate’s daily supplies. He turned to the mirror, holding the garments in front of him to see if they were suitable. It would be the townsfolk’s first real look at him and he wanted to make a good impression. It was then that he saw the slightest hint of a pale brown line crossing his abdomen.

Staring at his reflection, he traced the line with shaky fingers. The swelling of his belly would not betray his condition after all but rather the birthing seam that now

showed faint but clear against his fair skin. The seam would gradually thin until it parted at the time of birthing to allow the babe to emerge from the womb. Naeth grimaced.

Reijir had not bedded him since their arrival in Irdaran, unwilling to undermine Naeth’s newly acquired station by showing him to be his concubine and dependent. But once they returned to Rikara, their intimacy would likely resume. In the course of their lovemaking, Reijir would not miss this first sign of breeding.

There was no getting around it. Naeth would have to tell him the truth beforehand.

Today perhaps?

The ride to Irdaran might put the Herun in a good enough mood to receive Naeth’s confession with equanimity. And mayhap the very process of acting in Naeth’s best interests might also minimize any guilt Reijir would surely harbor when he learned what had transpired the night Naeth conceived. Feeling hopeful for the first time in weeks, Naeth quickly dressed and hurried to join Reijir for breakfast.

They rode to the town taking the straight road between the hills that encircled Irdaran. Ruomi and Syvan accompanied them along with three of Reijir’s warriors. But Syvan only remained with them long enough to introduce Naeth to the town elders before taking his leave, saying he had business to attend to. With Reijir’s commanding presence backing him up, Naeth managed to sound confident in his initial meeting with the town leaders who would defer to his authority if he assumed his grandsire’s position.

He and Reijir pleased the locals by having their midday meal at one of the inns instead of heading back to Fiori Hall. Naeth further gained their approval when, assisted by Ruomi, he engaged in lively conversation with the town butcher, asking about the local game and inquiring about meat dishes unique to the region, while Reijir stood to one side rolling his eyes on occasion at the more graphic discussions about the Deir’s profession.

*

Seeing Naeth’s increased confidence in himself, Reijir decided his indulgence of his leman’s interests was well worth it.

They did not take the main road to go back to Fiori Hall but traveled an alternate route suggested by Syvan. The other route from Irdaran to the manse was a circuitous road that skirted the tallest of the hills around the town. The solicitor had been quite insistent that they take it, claiming the view quite lovely, for many sections of the road overlooked crystalline streams and dramatic ravines or came abreast of hidden falls.

Though Reijir was not fond of what he oft sarcastically labeled picturesque scenery, he could not refuse Naeth a chance to see more of his sire’s old haunts.

He was taken aback however when the road steadily climbed until they almost reached the top of the hill. Syvan had not warned them of this ascending portion of the road. More annoying, it was more of a rude track in this section and apparently used very infrequently. Thus, it was in poor condition. And then they came to a stretch that was so narrow they were forced to ride single-file and, worse, was deeply rutted and strewn with stones and other debris, forcing their steeds to pick their way carefully amidst the rubble.

To their right was the hill face, thickly dotted with trees, their branches heavy with vines and other trailing vegetation. To the left was a surprisingly deep ravine with steep sides and a rocky bottom. It was certainly dramatic but not at all what Reijir would remotely consider pleasing to the eye.

“Stay away from the edge, Naeth,” he called over his shoulder to the youth.

Naeth shakily agreed, his fingers clenched tightly around the reins. He was pale and looked apprehensive and kept his eyes on the uneven road. Reijir scowled. Even a seasoned rider would feel ill at ease traversing such a narrow, ill-maintained road. What more an inexperienced one?

“What was your uncle thinking, having us take this Veres forsaken route?” he growled as he steadied his steed after a near stumble on a rut masked by wild grass.

“It is charming,” Naeth gamely replied. “And maybe this stretch isn’t much longer so—” He gave a little cry as his steed tottered a bit on a slippery stony patch.

“Naeth!” Reijir glanced back in alarm.

“I’m fine!” Naeth was quick to reassure him. “I was just startled.”

About to reply, Reijir cursed out loud when his steed stepped into another hidden rut and struggled to steady itself.

“That’s it!” he snarled. “I’m opening a portal.” He looked back at Naeth and said,

“Remind me not to thrash Syvan when we get back!”

*

Naeth opened his mouth, but before he could speak, something dropped from the overhanging branch of a tree just ahead of him. He had a glimpse of a long, curling creature before his steed suddenly whinnied in alarm and reared up on its hind legs.

Naeth cried out as he lost his grip on the reins along with his seating. He fell heavily then tumbled down the sloping edge of the trail toward the sheer drop into the ravine.

He screamed as his legs slipped off the road, dragging him down. A frantic grab at a thick vine slowed his downward slide. Someone grasped his arms and halted his fall. A panicked glance told him it was Reijir who held his life in his hands. An instant later, one of the riders was at the Herun’s side and helped him pull Naeth to safety.

Reijir held him tight against his chest. His harsh breathing told Naeth just how shaken his lover had been by the accident. He clung to Reijir, trembling violently. Out of the corner of his eyes, he spotted the creature that had spooked his steed.

It was a common garden snake.

Naeth frowned in puzzlement. He turned to look at Reijir and started to speak. But a sharp pain tore through his abdomen, and he doubled up with a cry.

“What is wrong?” Reijir asked in renewed alarm.

“It hurts…” Naeth whispered, barely able to speak. “Merciful Veres… it hurts…”

Ruomi knelt beside them and gingerly placed his hand on Naeth’s belly. “Here?” he urgently asked.

Naeth could only nod. Ruomi looked at Reijir and said, “We must get him to a healer at once. He may be miscarrying.”

Reijir stared at him in shock. “How can he—?” He stopped when Naeth cried out again and stiffened in pain, one hand clutching at his abdomen, the other dropping lower to his groin.

Naeth suddenly felt something warm and wet gush out between his legs to the horrified exclamations of the others. Dizziness overcame him, and his vision blurred. A yawning well of darkness loomed before him. The last thing he remembered before he tumbled into the shadows was being lifted up into the haven of Reijir’s arms to be held fast against his lover’s reassuring heat and strength.

“He’s too young,” Eiren soberly explained. “His womb could not shield the babe.

But even without the fall, the chances of losing the child were greater than carrying it to full term. Even Lassen nearly miscarried, although he’s a breeder. I had to warn Rohyr not to get him with child again until he reached forty summers at least.” The physician looked at his cousin. “You knew this yet you took the risk,” he said a little reprovingly.

Reijir glowered at him. “I didn’t know he was breeding,” he said. “He didn’t tell me and…
Heyas
, Ren, do you think me so callous that I’d consciously imperil him?”

Eiren pursed his lips then shook his head. “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for.” He bent over Naeth again and placed his hands over the youth’s abdomen. “His womb is sound. I sense no damage that time can’t heal. He’s strong and resilient as well.” He glanced over his shoulder at Reijir. “He’ll be able to carry a child again, that much I guarantee.”

“Not if I can help it,” Reijir retorted, anger hardening his voice. “He kept it from me.

Why? And how did he conceive in the first place?”

“I felt your imprint on him,” Eiren said. “The babe was yours, Rei.”

“I didn’t doubt that. But it troubles me that he did this in secret.”

“You think this was deliberate?”

“I don’t know what to think.” Reijir looked away. “I trusted him.”

Eiren straightened and stared at him with a frown. “
Trusted?
Then you trust him no longer?”