Chapter 20: Walking Through the Fire

Neal tugged at his collar. Kel had made him wear a kimono on the trip, so he would blend in once they arrived. He glared at Kel, who looked as impassive as always, but there was a twinkle in her eyes that made Neal somewhat uncomfortable.

When he first met her, Neal thought Kel didn't have a sense of humor, but he later discovered he was wrong. Kel's sense of humor just appeared in the weirdest of circumstances.

Actually, the kimono fit him perfectly. What else could he expect from Lalasa's expert needle? But Neal felt the need to fidget. Thinking about Joren was very different from actually meeting him face to face, a very few minutes from now, when the carriage they were in finally reached its destination.

Why was he here again? He felt the rustle of an envelope that he had tucked in his sleeve. Aaah. That's right. He was here to keep an eye out for the competition. Because Joren was his, and these Yamani guys could do well to get that through their heads.

Neal blinked. He hadn't realized how possessive he had become. And it suddenly dawned on him that Joren might not appreciate his reasons. And that Joren might not even want him here in the first place. He grasped Kel's hand in panic.

"Kel, what if… what if he's not pleased to see me?"

Kel looked at him as if he were the dumbest person to ever walk the earth. "Are you kidding me? He'll be so shocked, he might hug you in public!"

Neal blushed a little. "Shock isn't the same as pleased." He mumbled in his defense.

Kel rolled her eyes and spoke to him as if to a small child. "Nealan, Joren likes you. Of course he'll be happy to see you here."

Oh. Right.

The ride continued without any more conversation, as each of them were lost in their own thoughts.

When Joren finally saw them, his blue eyes widened like saucers, and so did his mouth. Kel shook her head. With eyes like those, Joren could probably get away with murder. She was right, too. Joren sprang forward to hug Neal, before stumbling back red-faced.

"W-what are you guys doing here?"

Lady Ilane chuckled from behind Joren. "I invited my daughter to come for the festival, and she brought a friend with her. You must be Nealan. Invite them in, Joren and we can introduce them to our guests."

Joren obeyed instinctively, his eyes never leaving Neal's face. But the words sunk in and he flushed once more, before bowing formally and introducing the two men inside the house.

"Syuusuke noh Fuji, Ryoma noh Echizen, this is Keladry of Mindelan and Nealan of Queenscove."

The two men bowed, and Neal imitated Kel's action. So this was Syuusuke. He was tempted to open his big mouth, but wasn't sure if he would offend. Maybe he could warn the man off his Joren in private.

***

Alanna looked around in interest at the little house they had rented for the festival. The rent was outrageously expensive, because many visitors were coming. She unpacked her bags in the tiny bedroom, musing about her children and having a sort of second honeymoon with George in the Islands.

She wondered where her husband was, and dismissed the thought immediately. Knowing George, he was probably out meeting with some spy he had stationed nearby.

She wondered where she could commission some of those formal kimonos that she saw on the women while they were riding past. Alanna smiled. It's been too long since I've had a vacation.

***

The festival was starting when the two parties met. Alanna and George had spent a few blissful days on a honeymoon of sorts. They walked the streets hand in hand, and acted like tourists, instead of spies or warriors.

And then Alanna decided it was time, so she had her husband arrange an "accidental" meeting with Kel's parents in the marketplace. And they managed to get themselves invited to their home.

Neal dropped a glass, and Joren paled. Keladry choked on the rice balls she was eating. Alanna just grinned at them.

So they were all together when the fireworks started, in brilliant colors and designs. Syuusuke whispered to Joren and Kel that the fireworks were very special, being products of both science and magic. All of them noticed that Neal and Joren held hands throughout the floats and the parade. And they pretended not to listen to the whispered words that were exchanged.

George frowned. The fireworks were interfering, but he was almost sure he heard the words "You're jealous?" and "I'm with you, aren't I?" fall from Joren's lips. And it was interesting how the discussion ended with Neal going completely red while looking at the Yamani couple that sat serenely beside them. And his mouth forming the word, "Oh."

***

They had a special dinner on the balcony, with all seated around a low table. Joren flushed every time Neal accidentally brushed against his hand, which was often.

The others didn't try to engage them in conversation, although George was sorely tempted to. But he just said to himself that there was time for that later, after the boys have settled things between themselves. He chuckled silently. He never had this fun matchmaking since his cousin Rispah met Coram.

He was distracted from his thoughts by Baron Piers tapping a glass with a carved wooden stick that the Yamanis somehow ate with.

"Ehrm. I'd like to formally announce on this occasion that I have chosen someone to be my successor, and the King has agreed with my decision. In several years' time, Joren of Stone Mountain will be the Tortallan ambassador to Yamani. Congratulations, son. And keep up the good work!"

Joren looked quite shaken by the news. But surely he would have guessed? George thought to himself.

The young man could only smile at all of them and thank them in a suspiciously husky voice, blinking with suspiciously bright blue eyes.

***

Finally! They were alone. Neal grinned up at the moon which seemed so low one could almost touch it. There were still fireworks going off occasionally, but things have calmed down enough for him to be able to hear himself think.

They were walking in the garden, holding hands but not daring to look at each other. Neal decided to break the awkward silence.

"You're not mad? That I got jealous of a name you barely mentioned in a letter?"

Joren smiled at him softly. "No. I am… touched."

Neal was silent for a while, before blurting out. "I've told them."

Joren looked puzzled so he continued. "I've told all my friends that… you… us… you know…" He looked at the sky again. "I didn't want to be ashamed of you. I want everyone to know, even if they'll give us a hard time."

"Did they?" Joren's voice was soft and hard at the same time. It startled Neal so that he looked at the younger man.

"No. No, they didn't. They didn't believe me at first. Kel had to tell them that I wasn't lying. And they teased me. But the usual kind, you know… like with a girl."

Joren took hold of Neal's hand. "I'm glad that you're ready enough to come clean to your friends. But I need to come clean to you as well." And in a breaking voice, Joren told him all that he had undergone as a child and because of Robert.

Neal looked horrified. But he couldn't find his voice. "I didn't tell you before, because I didn't want any pity. Will," Joren swallowed nervously, "will this change things?"

Neal's voice was rough when he was finally able to sleep. "No. It just means we'll wait, that's all."

Joren turned around and faced Neal. "What if I don't want to?" And then he kissed Neal. It was a fiery kiss, the kind that lit up your insides until you felt as if you were tingling, or glowing.

They didn't talk about future plans, each knowing instinctively that they will do all they can to be together. But there were fireworks. Brilliant reds and oranges. Up there in the dark sky, and down in gardens, sparking between the two, as Yama the god of fire, ignites in his people's hearts a love too precious not to fight for.

Neither noticed several spies turning away in polite embarrassment. For the two young men, the earth shaked, and they only stayed upright because they were holding on to each other.

Finit