Vows of Blood and Honor
"You take my breath away." Dragon told Lorelei. "I didn't think you could become more beautiful but you have." He regarded her admiringly. Her creamy white shoulders were framed by lacey embroidered straps in a flowering design that covered the bodice and in flowering vine tendrils extended onto the filmy silk skirt. The faintest touches of pink tinted a few of the flowers. Creamy pink beads of rose quartz and freshwater pearls were strung around her neck and hung from her ears. Gloves of the same soft silk covered her hands and arms to above her elbows.
Dragon's fingers gently stroked over her cheek and he resisted the urge to plunge his hands into her hair. She so rarely wore it down but tonight a simple white silk band held it back from her face and the rest curled around her shoulders. The style was almost girlishly simplistic but with her amber eyes and creamy skin she looked elegant and more woman than a girl.
"You clean up very well yourself Dragon." Lorelei teased. "I didn't know you possessed such formal clothing."
"You thought I might come in my old sparring clothes?" Dragon smiled. Unlike Sebastian, he had not chosen velvet for his doublet and hose. The effect of the suede hose and embroidered black silk on the black suede doublet was rich and the effect one he enjoyed presenting. With his scarred face and long dark hair he looked like a pirate. He doubted though that any pirate would be caught dead in a shirt with ruffles at the collar and wrist no matter how plain they were. Unlike some men of the court who favored ruffles, his did not drip with lace.
"I had theorized that you would appear in the simplest version of black formal clothing." Lorelei said tactfully. "And while you did manage to do that, it is with such elegance that the effect is more pleasing than jet beads and lace." She smoothed a strand of his dark hair away from his face
"I thank you." Dragon bowed slightly. "I cannot feel at ease in silks and velvets, try as I might." He took her hand and as he rose kissed her cheek. "I am pleased that you approve my etrielle, I know of no one whose taste I respect more."
Lorelei smiled and then her gaze hardened. "Lady Katherine, how nice to see you." She greeted the other girl politely.
The brown haired girl nodded and smiled. "It is a lovely party. And such a novel idea, only two colors." She tilted her head and her hips twitched beneath her skirts. "White is a very interesting shade on you, your highness. It has such an effect on your skin."
Lorelei smiled sweetly back at her rival and was mentally firing off insults when Dragon said smoothly. "Lorelei was so kind to insist on this theme as a favor to me. She knows how I adore seeing her in white, it gives her eyes and skin such a glow." He smiled down at his princess. "I have hopes that her kindness will encompass wearing another white gown for me someday."
Lorelei's amber eyes grew misty and she looked up at Dragon with a genuine smile this time. Before she could confirm her willingness to do so the warrior mage frowned slightly at Katherine. "You look very…unique…this evening Lady Katherine." He said gallantly. His eyes flickered over her gown and then her hair and his brow furrowed a bit more. Then he seemed to recover and he smiled carefully again. "Very…nice." His smile brightened.
Katherine curtsied to Lorelei and smiled a bit nervously at Dragon and retreated to the ladies retiring room.
"Dragon!" Lorelei took a deep breath to control the giggles that threatened to bubble over. "You did that deliberately."
"Of course I did." Dragon told her. "I will not let her insult you by implying your gown and looks are anything other than excellent or that your judgement of a wonderful party is impaired. You are beautiful. You look exquisite and the party was exactly what your family needed. She got exactly what she deserved. My words were polite, truthful and to the point. It is not my fault if she read more into them than that."
"My black knight." Lorelei smiled lovingly. "You are just about as good at this as Sebastian or I." She observed.
"I can be when I choose to make the effort." Dragon grinned. "Most of the time, why bother?"
"Oh Dragon." Lorelei's smile widened to a grin. "Don't ever change."
He kissed her cheek and nodded towards Sebastian and Briar. "Look." He murmured. "She wrote a new song for him."
"He has a surprise for her as well." Lorelei whispered. "We should all enjoy this."
Vidanalas watched Sebastian lead Briar to a slim chair before the orchestra. The prince's younger sister Asrai and her friend Faith came up to him and the princess grinned. "You'll like this." Asrai told him. "Sebastian has a surprise for Briar afterward."
The bladesinger found himself smiling down at the child in spite of himself. She was such an endearing creature, sweet and gentle and kind. "I know I will." He told her bowing over her hand politely.
Briar struck a chord on her harp then and the room hushed.
"We were walking togther
You held my hand and smiled
Your smile, just for me.
I can't remember ever feeling this way.
If I am dreaming, never let me wake.
If I am waking, never let me dream.
A storm rages without
As we lie safe inside.
In your arms I am cherished
As I've never felt before
Your eyes hold such love and pride.
If I am dreaming, never let me wake.
If I am waking, never let me dream.
I will give you every forever
I have within me.
You are in my heart always
A love that whispers
I can believe in eternity.
If I am dreaming, never let me wake.
If I am waking, never let me dream."
Sebastian smiled as she looked at him and strode forward from the edge of her audience to take her hand and help her rise from the chair. "Stay here with me love." He murmured. "I have a surprise for you as well." He nodded to the orchestra and the violinist began to play. To Briar's surprise Sebastian kept hold of her hand and looking straight at her began to sing.
"Lying here with you
Listening to the rain
Smiling just to see the smile upon your face
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
Looking in your eyes
Seeing all I need
Everything you are is everything to me
These are the moments
I know heaven must exist
These are the moments I know all I need is this
I have all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
Every prayer has been answered
Every dream I have's come true
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be
Here with you here with me."
Vidanalas blinked in shock as the warm tenor voice emerged and nearly smiled at how his daughters cheeks turned pink as the wealth of emotion in Sebastian's voice tugged at her heart. The elf listened in amazement as the foolish courtier proclaimed his love for Briar before the entire court and his family and hers.
"You're all I've waited for, and I could not ask for more..."
The prince's voice slowly faded off and the violin died away. He smiled down at her and bent down for a sweet gentle kiss. "Oh Sebastian." She whispered as his lips left hers. "Every time I think I have you figured out you do something so romantic it makes me want to cry."
Sebastian shook his head. "If you cry it will make the courtier's think you dislike my voice." He quipped. Briar gave a watery chuckle and allowed him to lead her away from the orchestra.
Vidanalas sighed a bit and shook his head. "What's wrong?" Asrai asked. "I know Sebastian wasn't trained as a bard, but he's not that bad."
The elf smiled slightly. "It is not his voice." He said quietly. "My daughter is in love with him."
"And that's a bad thing?" Faith asked in her husky voice. "He's a great guy."
Asrai nodded. "Sebastian is different from everyone else in our family. He's so much like our mother. But he knows how dangerous the court can be, especially to Briar." She looked over the crowd of courtiers to where her brother was standing. "He decided that he wanted to make sure they all knew his feelings for her. When Sebastian decides to do something, he does it as publicly as possible, so no one can renounce it. But other things, he keeps very private and none of us ever saw his heart until Briar came into his life."
Faith grinned. "I was working on something else for Asrai's dad for a few summers while she was home from school and I didn't get to see Sebastian much. But he really went nuts for a while." She glanced at Sabine. "No one disobeys Sabine. I mean, who's that suicidal? But Sebastian did because he wanted to spend time with Briar so much."
Asrai rolled her eyes. "And even after Mother sent Lorelei to retrieve him from Aeliara he tried to leave Suzail and return without permission because he missed her so much and she wasn't writing to him for a while."
Faith shuddered. "I'll be the first to admit I'm glad I wasn't around to witness the results of that."
Asrai nodded. "You wouldn't think it to look at her but Mother's even more dangerous than Father."
Vidanalas regarded the girl strangely and raised his eyebrows. "I beg your pardon?" He asked quietly. "You mean of the two of them you'd rather brave your father's wrath than your mother's?"
"You got it." Faith said bluntly. "And she's not the only one. I think the only one who isn't completely terrified when she's really angry is Sebastian. And even he gets really worried."
"Her majesty?" Vidanalas looked over at the woman who was standing on her husbands arm. "You're not have a joke at my expense?"
Asrai looked at him as if he were crazy. "Didn't you learn anything about our family before you came looking for Briar?" She asked.
"An etrielle whom I hold in great esteem queried me on my past." Vidanalas said quietly. "I came immediately afterward. I did not inquire of the local history before I made the journey."
Faith laughed. "Oh man, you're in for a shock then." She shook her head. "Not that anyone will tell you everything, but even what's public knowledge is…"
"A bit daunting." Asrai finished.
"Daunting?" The bladesinger repeated. "Do you mean her parentage, her personal history or her rank?"
"You don't believe us." Faith observed flatly. "You don't understand how someone as fragile looking and as beautiful as Queen Sabine could be at all dangerous or intimidating."
Asrai looked at the elf as if he were an idiot. "Then he's in for a real rude shock." She shook her head. "Faith, lets go make sure Andreas is all right."
"Oh yeah, he's been hiding out in his rooms for so long I want to make sure he isn't permanently blinded or something." Faith agreed.
Vidan watched them go and shook his head slowly. It was very difficult to believe, but the two of them had been so matter of fact about all of it. Mentally he resolved to speak with Merrila and her brothers the next day. He wondered exactly what it was about the queen that made her more frightening to her children than her husband.
"We're all just concerned about him." Andreas halted outside his lover's door at the sound of his brother's voice. A surge of annoyance set his jaw as he heard Sebastian say. "I wouldn't ask you to repeat any private conversation, that is part of your relationship with Andreas and I would not wish to intrude." He paused delicately. "If you would simply let us know how he is." Andreas heard Sebastian sigh. "My brother is a good man, and I hate that this happened. He will be a great king someday." Determination put steel into Sebastian's voice. "But if this goes beyond mourning, if he needs help to deal with it, then we must know."
Suddenly the doorknob twisted in Andreas' hand and the door pulled open to reveal Sebastian regarding his older brother with an ironic gleam in his eye. "You know if you listen at keyholes you'll never hear anything good of yourself." The younger prince drawled.
"You would know!" Andreas snapped and strode into the room. The lush red haired beauty received an absent kiss as he took a seat beside her.
"Yes but I do not expect to hear anything good of myself." Sebastian retorted. "Maggie please talk some sense into him. Or at least put him in a decent mood for lunch with the family today. As he is now he'll give us all indigestion."
"Sebastian mind your own business!" Andreas commanded sharply. "And stay out of my life."
"But my dear brother, if you would but think on it, you'll find this is my 'business' and our lives are forever intertwined." Sebastian dropped his brother a mocking bow before he left the room. With a smile he wondered if Andreas realized that his lover was one of Sebastian's own cadre of assassin/spies. Andreas' tastes were varied when it came to women but constant was his enjoyment of intelligence and a sweet heart. Maggie was perfect for him and had no illusions nor any desire to be the next queen. Her affection for Andreas only made her better at her job. If necessary she would give her life for him.
Briar glanced uneasily at Andreas who was now and then shooting irritated looks at Sebastian. His younger brother seemed blithely unconcerned and was eating with the true enjoyment of a man who had put in a good morning's work. "Why is Andreas looking at you like that?" She murmured her question finally.
"He objected to how I was doing my job." Sebastian grinned at her unrepentantly.
Before Briar could say anything else a footman entered and handed two messages to Sebastian. All conversation ceased and his entire family and Briar's regarded him expectantly.
Sebastian read one of the messages with an expression of distaste and folded it up with a sigh.
"Well?" Lorelei prodded him.
"Well what?" Sebastian looked at her as if he hadn't a clue what she meant.
"What did it say?" Lorelei smiled too sweetly and tried not to grind her teeth.
"If you must know, Lord Halston wanted Briar and I to attend his soiree tonight. I shall have to send our regrets." Sebastian drawled.
He began to open the second parchment as his older sister muttered. "You're impossible. I don't know why I didn't drown you when you were little and annoying instead of putting up with you."
"Because on occasion I have my uses." He remarked absently as he devoured the words on the page. "For instance this tells me that Serek, Lord Serendal is being pursued outside Suzail." He looked up at Andreas. "Your requested escort is waiting."
Andreas rose with a grim look on his face and bowed to his parents.
"Where are you going?" Sabine asked coolly.
"Hunting." Andreas flatly replied.
"Your wound-" the queen began to object in concern but her husband laid a gentle hand over hers.
"He is well enough to do this." Amon told her firmly. "And I understand why he feels he must." His eyes were dark with the shadowed past and his queen nodded her understanding.
"Then be safe." She told her oldest son. "And may your hunt be successful."
Andreas took her hand and kissed it gently. "As my queen commands." A brief smile lit his face before being swallowed by grim purpose again as he strode out of the dining room.
"He'll be fine." Sebastian remarked. "Serek is the prey not the predator."
"He will not take well to such a reversal of roles." Briar concurred softly. Folding her napkin she rose excusing herself. When Sebastian made as if to accompany her she smiled a denial. "Stay with your family and finish your meal."
Vidan looked at Merrila curiously as Briar left. The two of them had become friends again, if not lovers and knew each other fairly well. "Why does she go?"
Merrila hesitated a moment knowing her daughter had not told Vidan her reasons for leaving Serendal. Finally she replied. "Briar cannot forget that the ones trying to destroy the royal family are her family as well. She is too aware that were it not for her, the Obarskyrs might still be untouched by this Blood Feud. She would not choose to give up her life but neither is she able to rejoice in her uncle's death."
"I do not understand." Vidan admitted. "Why would she blame herself for their actions. I can see no connection."
"That is obvious!" Sebastian snapped and then shook his head with a sigh. "My apologies. My Rose has been most distraught of late and I am…edgy as a result."
"You mean you want to set to rights what is bothering her." Lorelei commented. "You can't. You might try ceasing your efforts as Prince Fix-Everything Sebastian, and just keep her company. Not everything can be set right." She looked at Vidan. "You are right. You don't understand. You have the same problem as my brother. You want to fix everything. Your way. Have you ever listened to your daughter?"
Merrila smiled at the princess. "You are very observant your highness." She said in her sweet voice. "I had noted the same but I am afraid I have not sufficient…nerve to speak of it to these two men. They can be somewhat…overwhelming."
Lorelei turned a bit pink much to her family's amusement. "Please, among family titles are so burdensome. Will you call me Lorelei as your daughter does?"
Merrila nodded and her smile was pleased. "Thank you yes." She turned her glance toward Vidan. "Old friend, if you truly want to know your daughter, as more than simply your blood you will have to begin truly looking at her."
"Aye." Mory inserted his rumbling voice. "We've precious little in common we four." He nodded to his siblings. "One father between the lot of us and four different mothers. We chose to be a family. Our choice matters more than blood to us. You are her blood, but she hasn't chosen you as her father yet. You will have to prove to her that you would choose her for your daughter were she not of your blood."
Sebastian tilted his head and smiled almost sympathetically. "She does have a very effective way of excluding one from her life until she decides to allow one within it." He said recalling his long hellish wait for her to realize she loved him. "Briar has seen in my family, folk who are related by blood, who love each other and I think would still chose to be a family were our circumstances the same as hers. She makes a family for herself no matter what, through friends, her brother, her music."
"And how do I convince her of that?" Vidan wondered aloud. "She lets me see so little of who she is, beyond her avowed love of you," he nodded at Sebastian, "and her wonderful music."
"Well look at her for Lord and Lady's sake." Asrai blurted out.
"I thought you were more intelligent than that." Faith drawled. "But I guess not." She looked at Asrai. "Sorry to interrupt babe, go 'head."
"Look at her?" Vidan repeated and Asrai nodded emphatically.
"I mean look at her. She's beautiful, she could have anyone she wanted, but she loves Sebastian and doesn't trust any other man besides Dragon and her uncles, except maybe Andreas and Dad." Asrai pointed out. "Haven't you ever wondered about that?"
"Or were you just pleased she was displaying a proper reserve." Lorelei asked sarcastically. "You can see how much she loves her family. She was separated from them for more than two years. What did you think made her leave? She doesn't really like adventuring. She loves performing but not as much as just making music. Didn't you ever think to ask?"
"She went white as a ghost when her Uncle Serek and Ljosa walked into court." Dragon said in his slow sepulchral voice. "She was terrified of them. And they accused her of murder and illegal dueling. Briar isn't a coward, nor is she one to carelessly break the laws. Didn't you even question the reason for her fear, or why she would have killed her cousin?"
"Or did you simply see her and her resemblance to yourself. And then you heard her music, and saw she was a sweet loving girl. And you didn't care to look any further?" Merrila asked softly. "My brothers and I taught her a great deal. Mory can attest to her skill with the rapier and dagger. She is nothing less than brilliantly gifted with a sword, just as she is in music. And no one noticed that Briar was also a Rose until she was fifteen. And not long after she left Serendal. You wonder why she won't let you in her life, why she does not confide in you."
"You do not like that she loves the young prince here." Mory observed. "I didn't like him much either when I first met him, but I was burdened with the preconceived notion that he'd killed Briar. I felt I was justified in my dislike." Sebastian grinned at the big man and the blond warrior rolled his eyes. "It took me less than a day, and seeing Briar alive again, to be convinced I was wrong. You're a lot smarter than I am Vidan, what is your excuse?"
Vidan looked at Sebastian. "Well? Do you not have a comment to make? Something to drawl out in that exceedingly annoying tone?" He asked coldly.
Sebastian rose and smiled coldly. "I really don't think there is anything I can add to that." He bowed respectfully to Merrila and her brothers. "If you will excuse me, I believe I will go and keep Briar company, and not play 'fix-it'." He winked at Lorelei in thanks and kissed his mother on his way out, giving his father an affectionate tap on the shoulder.
TBC
Author's Note: Briar's song is an original poem, but Sebastian's is a great song performed by both Edwin McCain and Sara Evans. Both are awesome performances but the lyrics are (as always) what grab my attention. Hope you enjoyed.