Rain
I
Though it had been a several months since the end of the War of the Stones, and a handful of weeks since their wedding, the king and queen of Renais could not have been busier. And so, when Ephraim and Tana did find a moment to themselves that morning, they had hoped to take advantage of the break in the gloomy weather and sit for a while in the royal gardens and enjoy the late summer blooms. But no sooner had they stepped into the gardens than they froze in place, staring at the tableau layed out before them.
Ephraim knew Seth and Eirika had taken to coming here sometimes these past few weeks to spar. The royal gardens were spacious and it was convenient to be able to train without an audience, particularly if Seth intended to teach her something new. But Ephraim was no fool; he knew they also came here to be alone.
It looked as if today had at least begun as a training session. Ephraim could see Seth's sword on the ground near his feet where he had apparently let it fall. Seth's hands were, at present, otherwise occupied, one wrapped around Eirika's waist, the other buried in her hair. Eirika meanwhile was kissing him with a fervour which would have been wholly inappropriate were they not two days away from their wedding.
For an instant, Ephraim and Tana stood staring and then, as one, turned on their heel and walked out of the gardens, leaving the absorbed couple blissfully unaware. They kept their expressions carefully neutral and said not a word. It was only when they were two corridors down and without servants or guards nearby that Ephraim spoke. "We need to get those two married," he said, one eyebrow raised and a crooked smile on his lips.
"I told you delaying an extra three weeks was a bad idea," Tana replied.
Ephraim shrugged. "I'd really hoped the weather would improve. How was I to know it would only get worse?" They began walking again, back towards their quarters where they could at least sit for a while without being disturbed. "The idea of Innes having to trudge through all that mud on the way here is just a bonus," he added after moment. Ephraim held open the door to their rooms for her. With any luck none of the servants would think to check here for a good while.
"Are you sure you're not trying to torture them?" Tana asked as he shut the door behind him and sank into one of the padded chairs.
"I wouldn't do that to my own sister." She cast him a sideways glance. "Well not much anyway. Besides they only have to hold out a little longer."
"And they're doing a fabulous job, wouldn't you say?"
Ephraim's brow crinkled and, as he found himself remembering some of what had been running through his mind two days before his own wedding, he glanced toward the door. "You don't think we need to go back there and... check on them, do you?"
Tana laughed and crossed the room to run her fingers through his hair and trail them down his cheek. "I'm sure they'll be fine. After all this is Seth we're talking about."
"Hmm," Ephraim said vaguely as his arms wound themselves around Tana's waist. "I'm sure even the Silver Knight has limits." But he was finding it hard to keep his attention on Seth and his sister with Tana so close. He couldn't help but notice the slight flush in her cheeks as he stared up at her and he found himself wishing it were evening. "There's a good reason they kept you in Frelia until right before the wedding, you know," he said, a wicked smile on his lips. Without warning he pulled her onto his lap. She let out a gasp of surprise but then settled there comfortably, though her cheeks had taken on a crimson hue. He loved that she still looked shy, that she still flushed at his attentions. He leaned in to kiss her and–
A knock sounded on the door.
"Damn," Ephraim muttered. Tana sighed and rose to answer the door.
"Your highnesses," the servant on the other side of the door greeted them. "I've been looking for you. I was sent to inform you that Princess L'Arachel of Rausten has arrived."
Ephraim suppressed a groan.
"We'll be there shortly," Tana said. The servant bowed and then left them.
"Wonderful," Ephraim grumbled.
Tana rolled her eyes. "Oh stop pouting. It won't be that bad."
"We could tell them we're occupied," he suggested.
"With what?" Tana said, looking slightly red in the face once again.
"State business."
"State business?" she repeated.
A sly smile curved his lips. "Begetting heirs is state business when you're the king and queen, you know."
"Ephraim," Tana chided, her cheeks quite wonderfully scarlet now. He could not imagine how he'd been oblivious to her charms for so many years. If he'd spent less time duelling with her bore of a brother he could have spent more time– Well that was neither here nor there.
"Come on," she said, taking his hand and leading him towards the doorway. "I'll go meet Princess L'Arachel and escort her to the throne room. You can greet her there and then disappear into your study to look over reports or something."
He nodded his assent and his hand was on the door handle, but he froze when she leaned closer to him so that her lips brushed his ear as she whispered, "And I'll meet you back here after dinner." The day was going to seem very long indeed.
ooo
Walking down the castle corridors, Eirika combed her fingers through her hair, which had gotten rather disarranged– thanks mostly to Seth. The sound of rain began to fade as she moved further away from the gardens and deeper into the oldest sections of the castle with their thick grey walls. Her heart sank. When she had woken this morning and found it to be dry out, if still overcast, she had hoped the break in the weather would hold. Three weeks of rain, storms, drizzle, mist, and even hail on one occasion, could not but dampen her spirits. She had always envisioned her wedding as being on a fine summer day when the sunlight would slant through the castle windows, making everything golden.
Eirika heaved a sigh. She supposed it was just as well it had begun to rain when it had this morning so that she and Seth could not get carried away. Even now her lips felt bruised and swollen and her body tingled. How could she be so maddeningly close to him, yet still feel it was not enough? Kissing him– the taste of his lips, the warmth of his body pressed against hers, his scent, the texture of his skin– was intoxicating. His presence washed over her senses, drowning out the rest of the world. Drunk with his very essence, she forgot about her burdens, her responsibilities. In that moment there was nothing but him, and her desire for him.
In truth it frightened her sometimes that she felt so wildly out of control with Seth. She'd been raised to bear her responsibilities to the kingdom and to act in accordance with her position as princess of Renais. Self-control had always been essential; one could not be an effective leader without it. She had always acted with restraint, choosing her words with candour and with care; she had acted with poise and determination as the case demanded. And for so long she'd kept her feelings for Seth in check. To now feel so unable to rein in her thoughts, her very actions, and the desire that so overwhelmed her when she was near him, was frightening. It was fortunate Seth possessed some measure of restraint or she feared they might have gotten into trouble these past weeks.
Eirika was jarred from her thoughts when she rounded a corner and nearly walked into Kyle. "My apologies, princess. I was just escorting–"
"Eirika! Providence be thanked!"
Flushing and quite glad that none could know the thoughts that raced through her mind, Eirika found herself facing not only Kyle but also L'Arachel, who was surrounded by a retinue of knights in addition to her regular retainers. Dozla, his oversized axe strapped to his back, offered a hearty "Indeed, Princess" while Rennac slouched and tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.
L'Arachel pushed her way past her knights to greet Eirika and take her by the hands, her smile radiating happiness. "Ah Eirika! Is it not glorious that we should be reunited again– and for such a happy occasion?"
"I– I'm glad you approve," she managed to get out. Seth had been so worried, expecting censure from every quarter, but even L'Arachel, who talked about nobility of birth and took such pride in her family line, was glad for them.
"Of course I do," L'Arachel said, beaming. "I'm sure it's Divine Providence that guided you and General Seth together. After all, he'll produce such fine heirs for your kingdom and strengthen your family line."
Eirika could feel herself flushing right up to the tops of her ears. "That's not really why we–" But L'Arachel seemed to notice neither Eirika's words nor her discomfiture.
"He's really an excellent specimen. And even royal blood needs to be fortified. Just as in the forge where impurities make the blade stronger, so, too, will the mixing of your blood strengthen your royal line."
Eirika, struck quite speechless and terrified of what more might come out of L'Arachel's mouth, was immeasurably grateful to hear Tana call out to them both.
"Queen Tana, well met," L'Arachel greeted her.
"Princess L'Arachel. It's so good to see you," Tana said, smiling broadly. "Eirika, here you are!" she said and approached, her. "You know," Tana said, leaning close for a moment to whisper in Eirika's ear, "you and Seth need to be more careful. Ephraim and I were planning to take a stroll in the gardens this morning when we stumbled upon the two of you training." Tana drawled the last word and Eirika turned an even deeper shade of scarlet. "Shall we be on our way, Princess L'Arachel?" Tana said, looking to L'Arachel whose entourage had taken up formation behind her. "Ephraim sent me personally to welcome you and see you to the throne room."
"Of course, Queen Tana," L'Arachel replied. "Don't dawdle, Rennac," she added, apparently noticing as he attempted to slink away.
Eirika fell into step beside the princess of Rausten, thankful to have something to distract L'Arachel's attention while she waited for her features to regain a slightly less sunburnt tint.
ooo
Seth could not claim that he was at all comfortable, perched where he was to the right and just a step behind Ephraim's throne, where the young king was seated, looking slightly sulky if truth be told. Seth had known the twins since they'd been children and he could see through Ephraim's mask. He only sat ramrod straight like that when he was miffed and pretending not to be.
"Sire," Seth began tentatively, "I still don't see why it's necessary for me to–"
"It's your wedding, Seth," Ephraim cut in, glancing over his shoulder at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, sire. I know. Only..."
"You haven't forgotten that you're marrying the princess of Renais, have you?"
Seth straightened. "Of course not, your highness."
"Well if you're to be her consort and my brother-by-marriage then it means that you have to participate in all these bothersome state functions too. Besides," Ephraim added, "I'm not about to be left alone with Princess L'Arachel."
"Well said, King Ephraim," Forde chimed in, appearing as jovial as ever where he stood on the left of Ephraim's throne. "But if you don't mind my asking, why do I have to be here?" Forde asked in a tone that could only be described as plaintive. Seth could imagine Kyle censuring him, were he here, reminding Forde that knights were not supposed to whine, particularly when addressing their king.
"Forde," Ephraim said evenly without turning to look at him.
"Yes, King Ephraim?"
"You remember that incident a few weeks ago with the paint?"
"Ah," Forde said. "Say no more."
Seth's attention turned to the throne room's entrance as the guards announced Princess L'Arachel and she, followed by a retinues of armed knights and an abashed-looking Rennac, marched towards the throne alongside Tana.
But Seth had eyes only for Eirika.
Seth straightened as the Princess of Renais approached. As she marched down the aisle towards the throne, his eyes tracked her every movement. His heart raced as he allowed both his eyes and thoughts to wander freely over her body as he would never have dared before. He took in the brilliant blue of her eyes, the softness of her lips, the graceful line of her neck. The curves of her body made his blood race. He wondered fleetingly if other men looked at her so, and his stomach turned at the thought. His air was as impassive as winter snow, giving no sign of the tumult within. He had never thought himself capable of such jealousy, of such rage, but her love proved him only human after all.
It was only when she spoke that he turned his eyes to their guest. "It is joyful to see you again, Ephraim. You look very well. Marriage must agree with you."
Ephraim's eyebrows arched. "Yes. It does. Thank you. It's good of you come. Your visits to our kingdom are always so... remarkable."
Seth's eyes met with Eirika's and his lips twitched as he noted the barely suppressed smile on her own lips.
"Sir Seth." Seth straightened as L'Arachel addressed him.
"Princess L'Arachel," he said, offering a deep bow. "It was very gracious of you to accept the invitation to our wedding."
"I am glad to bless this happy occasion with my presence. After all I could hardly disappoint my dear friend Eirika." Out of the corner of his eye he could see the genuine smile on Eirika's lips. Though L'Arachel frequently blazed a trail of bewilderment, she was kind and well-meaning and he knew Eirika considered her a friend rather than simply an ally. "Your nobility shines through in your willingness to serve the Renais line so," L'Arachel continued.
"Serve the family line?" he repeated, suddenly rather bewildered himself.
"Why yes of course. I'm certain you'll do your duty with great devotion and provide Eirika with fine heirs, Sir Seth."
He was struck quite speechless for several seconds before he managed a strangled, "Thank you, princess," making very sure to avoid looking in Eirika's direction as he did. He was certain he could hear Forde snickering.
Dazed and quite painfully abashed, Seth heard very little of the pleasantries that followed until Eirika offered to show L'Arachel to her quarters. The Rausten party marched out of the throne room and turned down the corridor to the right. He noted that Rennac, who'd been lagging behind, turned, instead, to the left.
"That went well," Forde announced after a moment's silence.
"Just now..." Seth said, turning to glance at Ephraim and Forde. "Was I compared to a... stud horse?"
Ephraim rose from his throne and clapped Seth on the shoulder. "Just be thankful I fell for Tana."
Though Tana had left with Eirika and the Rausten party, Kyle, who had escorted them, had remained behind. He now stepped towards the throne. "King Ephraim."
"Yes, Kyle."
"We still need to discuss details for the food shipments to Grado."
Ephraim nodded. "Let's do that now."
The Renais Knights' duties of late had focussed on efforts to rebuild Renais and root out any bandits who sought to take advantage of the aftereffects of the war. But the earthquake that had rocked already war-torn Grado had forced them to divide their attention and resources. After the war Grado had essentially become a protectorate of Renais and, in spite of Emperor Vigarde's and Prince Lyon's actions, Ephraim refused to abandon Grado's people in their time of need. Kyle had taken on a key role in the Grado efforts while Franz had volunteered to be part of the force sent to the country itself. Forde meanwhile... Forde had been painting portraits.
Seth waited until Kyle had disappeared after Ephraim into the King's study, which adjoined the throne room, before moving to leave, Forde trailing along behind him.
"So..." began Forde as they marched past the king's guards and into the castle corridor, in a tone that was so jovial that it set Seth on edge. "Just a couple of days till your wedding, huh? Though I guess it's the wedding night you're really looking forward to."
"Forde..."
"Ah I can hear the court bards now. 'And when the Silver Knight embraced his princess fair, for duty and war he no longer cared.'"
Seth groaned.
"'And when he held her close against his chest, and pressed his lips to her snow-white br–'"
"Forde, if you finish that sentence–"
"I'll meet a slow and painful end. Gotcha, general."
If he survived the next day and a half to actually attend his wedding he would consider it a miracle from the gods.