Chapter Nineteen
Virion
The castle he’d called home from his birth until only a season ago seemed devoid of character, as drab and lifeless as he thought the Drashil castle would be.
Several halls passed them by, down steps and down one wing and another. The purpose of the jaunt to make finding the place more difficult if intruders attempted theft or destruction. Few had tried, and all had failed. The goddess jealously guarded her tears.
“So, you may not know the words, but—” King Alluin started, but Virion interrupted, impatience clear in his voice.
“I’ve seen the springs a thousand times and read the inscription on the wall. It was the only thing to do every ceremony I was forced to witness.” Virion pushed ahead as the vaulted doors opened to something far less impressive than the springs beneath Nemiah’s estate, but the purpose of this one was far holier.
Where months ago the water held a subtle glow, then it only appeared milky, opalescent with a faintly sour odor. A drip of water descended from a stalactite at the center of an ancient room, naturally hewn from a cavern. Since it was common for castles to be built over natural caverns for the temperature control, some natural features often existed at the lower levels. For this room, it was the slow drip of water condensing through the limestone at a single mineral point into an elegantly adorned basin that had been tilted to funnel into an urn they used to collect the Vitalis. The urn overflowed, the water soured and useless.
The walls had been scraped and carved with ornate historical scripts, illustrations in relief. The stone itself had a chalky texture, a crust of fine crystals over the light-gray surface. Virion approached the wall sconce bearing the engraving, roving his fingers over the rough surface as he’d done a hundred times before.
Mother Goddess, born of sun, your sons and daughters come to you, our hands cupped in supplication. May your tears not be shed in vain. May you give us life. As the keepers of your tears, may we drink of them and prosper.
Virion had mastered the art of a spell unspoken. In his training, an omega was to be silent . He could think whatever he liked though. Vehemently.
As he’d seen his mother do before him, and his father’s father before he passed, Virion kept the words in his mind and reached for the stalactite, letting a drop touch his fingers. As it slid down his slender digits, it regained its golden glow.
“You need to speak th—” His father halted mid-word as Virion touched that drop to the water’s surface. Like blood in water, it spread and flowed, tendrils of light venturing forward to join the water. “Mother Goddess…”
Virion stared intently, making sure the magic continued to spread. The seed of his blessing grew and sprouted. Like vines, it covered the sourness of the water in its fine sheen. “That is one thing you taught me well, Father. How to not need to speak.”
His father’s jaw dropped, mouth open for a lingering few seconds.
“Really, Father, close your mouth. It’s unbecoming of a beta.” Virion’s flat tone silenced Alluin as color raced over his cheeks. Knowing his father could do little to retaliate made the entire thing worthwhile. And, where once he’d seen his father as an impeding force, strength and rule preventing him from flourishing, he saw him for the weak man he was, then.
A fire burned in Nemiah’s eyes as they caught one another’s gaze. He mouthed four words that Virion always wanted to hear. I’m proud of you.
Goddess knew Alluin would never say them. The gulp and silence that came from his father, from him swallowing his pride, was all the reward he could have asked for. “Thank you.”
Virion froze in place. His heart fluttered momentarily at the thanks, but he buried it down. “It is still early in the day yet. There’s business to attend to with the matter of a former suitor.”
Nemiah cleared his throat, and Alluin led the way to ready him to take the prisoner to do with what he saw fit.
***
Sitting at the dining table in the place of an honored guest instead of at the far end was a different experience in those halls. Virion continuously reminded himself to hold his head aloft and remember that his station was far greater than it had been.
As he took a bite, a warm, comforting weight settled on his thigh then rose. Nemiah’s hand shifted to nudge his belly affectionately. The babe within fluttered excitedly, and from Nemiah’s softening expression, he felt it too.
“You truly do care for him?” Seidrik, his brother, as light blond and blue of eye as his father spoke up from his place at the table, spoon paused halfway between his bowl and mouth.
Nemiah turned his head back. “I do. He’s very intelligent and an excellent conversationalist.”
“But Father said you’d be miserable.” Seidrik narrowed his gaze, his full cheeks giving him a slightly pudgy look despite his lithe frame.
“Don’t act so offended, Brother. He has faith in my abilities.” Virion took a bite of the bland soup, a cream base of some sort, with a light peppery herb stewed in.
Seidrik’s face twisted into doubt. “I doubt any of your abilities need bragging about. Half the palace beta servants can attest to your abilities .”
Virion kept his face schooled. “And what abilities would my older brother be speaking about? With the beta servants? Please, elaborate, Brother.”
“That’s enough, Seidrik!” Alluin slammed his fist onto the table, making him jump. Virion tensed but ultimately didn’t react. “He was required to prove his virtue.”
“What virtue? Virion’s backside whistles in a good breeze, he’s so used.”
Nemiah cleared his throat. “He proved his virtue. He bled for me, and whatever you assume happened was far before my name ever touched his lips. Therefore, it’s not my concern. And I highly doubt it’s the concern of his brother. Or have you something to confess?” Nemiah tilted his head and reached under the table for Virion’s hand, giving a reassuring squeeze.
Nemiah was not unaware of Virion’s handful of lovers. He was not a promiscuous sort, but he alleviated himself every odd season or so. In turn, Virion had been made aware of Nemiah’s history, not blow for blow but a curt reminder that he’d had a few lovers and was experienced. It didn’t bother Virion, though, because he had part of Nemiah that nobody else would. His soul.
Seidrik made a disgusted noise and Alluin’s face reddened with anger. “You are dismissed, son.”
“But, Father, I’ve barely started my dinn—”
“Dismissed!” Alluin’s shout brought an attendant over who tidied up about him and pulled Seidrik’s chair out like they would for a child, as they’d done to Virion so many times. A certain satisfaction settled in Virion’s chest. A taste of his own medicine.
“Oh, Seidrik! I must say, I appreciated your company this evening. I’m sure the wine was heavy and your tongue is loose, so no need for apologies.” Nemiah’s curt words made Seidrik glare before he stormed off.
“I—he’s spirited. But what is it that Virion has had ideas for?” Alluin fumbled his fingers.
“Well, we have ways of sending out missives faster with the thalmway, but I wanted to be able to use magic to speak with one another from far away. My original concept was rather rudimentary, sending coded messages through the air to be translated at the other end, but Virion showed me how to transmit voice. He took a few minutes’ look at my notes while I was taking a nap and left the plans on my desk. Had he the ability to meld blacksteel like we do, I’m sure he’d have built the thing himself.” Nemiah’s face broke into a pleasant smile, eyes agleam with affection.
“Virion never graduated from finishing school. How would he—” King Alluin frowned.
“I spent all my spare time at the conservatory and the library learning. Just because I never had a ceremony doesn’t mean I never sat through the lessons.” Virion snorted and sipped lightly at the tea they’d given him in lieu of alcohol.
“So that is what you did there. I found it strange they had offered you a spot in the conservatory with only six thalms. I thought they had ulterior motives.” King Alluin frowned.
“Anyway. Sour feelings aside. We’re here for your springs, to reinforce our alliance, to pass the news along that an heir comes. As we were not invited to the wedding, other plans were made and please extend our congratulations to her coming nuptials. In lieu of a gift, we’ll leave you with one of Virion’s Telecon units. It only connects to a few places at the moment, but we can send word the moment our young one is born.” Nemiah didn’t look back at King Alluin but rather at his mate. Virion gave Nemiah a flick of his brow, lips tilted into what he hoped was a coy smile.
The glimmer he got in return meant the world to him, and they understood one another perfectly.
“Speaking of libraries, Father. May I spend some time in the collections this evening?” Virion snaked a hand into Nemiah’s lap to find his hand and squeezed. He’d defile every lectern in the place.
“Of course. Your quarters are made up for you to sleep there. Trunks were brought in. Pilki has been returned to you for the night and we’ll have someone wake you for sunrise.” Alluin waved his hand dismissively as Virion took the hint and wiped his mouth clean.
“Thank you, Father. This will be very helpful in my research.” Virion rose and good things were on their way.