Chapter Twenty
Nemiah
Nemiah had taken Virion in the back corner of the library, bending him over a lectern just as Virion had promised. The entire display had been a little awkward and forced, but it seemed to make his mate happy to spill himself all over the expensively woven rug.
Nemiah found himself unable to sleep in Virion’s room, the large windows in his secluded room well in view of the full moon, his goddess watching him intently. There was something intimate about knowing his Mother Goddess watched his mate sleep as he grew up, every night unable to hear from either of the sisters that kept watch over him.
When the waning face of the moon sank far out of view and the sky began to glow in that familiar way, a rather oblivious attendant began milling about, dropping things and stumbling. Nemiah sneered and sat up, running a protective hand over Virion, tentatively settling on the swell of their unborn child.
“Rise and shine, my Blessed Prince!” The doors swung open and the fae woman squeaked in start.
“It’s the Silver Prince, now,” Nemiah said, staring the woman down as Virion slid from bed and grumbled.
“I bathed last night. Fix my hair up and I’ve an outfit with me. I had it laid out for me last night.” Virion held his head aloft and strode from the room, his face colder than even when Alluin had stared him down.
“Bless’d,” she said, ignoring Nemiah’s order for her to call him Silver Prince. “Your father wants you to—”
“My father may want many things, but you are to braid my hair as a man, and are not to speak to me as a blessed anything.” Virion undid his night braid, letting the silken strands fall down in waves.
“Why are you so terse, my bl—S-silver Prince?” Her stumbled words ended with pursed lips and a fierce blush over her cheeks. “Have I done anything to d-displease you?”
“It’s of no concern to you.” Virion’s posture told many things, the least of which was for the attendant to cease speaking as she did his hair and dressed him wordlessly. She cast her eyes down and bid him farewell before backing out.
Taking that as the cue for them to leave, Nemiah offered his hand and escorted Virion to the hall to walk the long way through the waning dark to the temple where they might greet the sun that morning.
Nemiah hadn’t expected better when they reached the temple doors, staring at two guards who drew weapons to bar him from entering.
Virion put a hand on the shaft of the lacquered spear. “My husband goes with me, or I do not go.”
The guards glanced back and forth between one another but didn’t budge. Nemiah stood quietly in place, letting Virion stand up for him. It would do no good to overrule his husband’s demand.
“I said, either we both go, or neither of us go.” Virion held his ground for several seconds before turning to Nemiah. “We are not welcome. The goddess has asked for me and they have denied me.”
They made it a half dozen steps away before a pale and breathless Alluin shoved his way past the guards. “Let them in!”
Nemiah stared at Alluin as he coaxed Virion over, inviting Nemiah with a placating wave to the affronted guards. “Sir, he is a worshiper of the night!”
Alluin glared at the soldier. “And my son’s mate. Our goddess has demanded Virion’s presence, and he has stated firmly that he goes nowhere without his mate. I’m sure the Mother Goddess will forgive me for allowing a night worshiper in if he’s attached to Virion.”
“I hold much respect for the sun and her followers. The moon is my Mother Goddess, sister to the sun. Therefore, the sun is an aunt to me, and worthy of my respect.” Nemiah offered his best smile, which didn’t put any of them at ease, but it made him feel better, at least. A Drashili king, sharp of tooth and long of ear, was always a terrifying thing to the softness of the sun fae.
Virion told Nemiah he’d seen the ceremonies a dozen times before, or more, but had made his visits less frequent as he felt more disrespected. So, when he approached the central aisle of the temple toward the grand window facing the rising sun, Virion marched forward with confidence before milling patrons, whispering among themselves.
As the night was quiet, her worshipers spoke to her as they willed, outside of temples, to understand that no one person held any more sway to the goddess than another. Even the sun and her great temples understood that, and her words became fewer to her people because of it, or so the moon had told him.
Nemiah followed Alluin and took a seat near the front of the many filled pews. A robed priest stared Virion down with a mix of uncertainty and disgust. In the ways of Liaberians, the omegas were unfit to speak to the goddess, and a pregnant omega was considered unclean and not allowed to set foot in a temple. Virion broke many traditions as he held his chin aloft, wearing the garments of a man, visibly with child, the mate of a night fae.
Silence spread across the crowd as Virion strode past the cleric and toward the expansive window framing the sunrise. Bright light kissed the windows in a bright gleam as they swung open, highlighting Virion’s silken pale hair like a halo.
He sank down to one knee, head bowing for only a moment before it lifted. The brightness of the sun’s touch washed him out amid the pale colors that Liaberians favored. He almost disappeared as the sun pushed free of the horizon in greeting for him, like great arms reaching out to hold.
Several minutes passed before Virion lifted his head and stood, still facing the goddess for a long while. The barest whisper of Virion’s soothing voice tickled Nemiah’s ears, words unclear. So, when Virion turned, and the goddess spoke, her voice boomed loud enough to rattle the temple windows. Nemiah, son of my sister, come take your beloved’s hand and look at the gathering before you.
Nemiah did as commanded, climbing the steps to the dais as Virion took his hands, facing him.
Son of my sister, child of the night, I give to you my favored son. Virion, holder of the gift of Vitalis and rider of the blacksteel road. Bringer of voices to the forgotten.
Gasps and mutters spread through the nave.
Your beta son is impotent, and the child your daughter conceived is not that of the man she claims. Best you look to her staff for the true sire, as her betrothed does not know he did not sire the child.
Nemiah schooled his reaction, but Virion’s eyes widened. So that’s why the wedding was so sudden.
Further whispers and gossip silenced as the goddess spoke again.
The child Virion bears and those to come shall lead both Drashil for my sister and Liaberos for myself. I only ask that I be allowed to pick the child best suited when time comes.
“Be it that you and your sister agree, I accept if Nemiah does.” Virion stared at Nemiah and gave him a steeled gaze that fell flat under the watering of his eyes.
“I accept.” Nemiah’s voice cracked as he said it, presenting his horns for Virion as a show of his affection. In turn, Virion did the same, their wings unleashing in tandem.
And before the king to witness, my clerics and worshipers, I declare your union blessed. Speak, Nemiah. Tell my gift what you feel.
Nemiah, startled, lost composure at the command and took a shuddering breath, not wanting to speak for fear of seeming weak. “Virion, the moment I saw you I thought you fair and comely. As we grew to know one another, I saw the brilliance in your mind, the kindness of your ways, and the acceptance you hold for change. You are a shining star in my night, a complement to the moon. In all ways, I am yours, before the sun and our Mother Goddess, the moon. Know that I love you.”
And you, Virion?
“You are swarthy and handsome. I adore your secret smiles and the little things you do to show me you care. You are the first male to have taken me seriously, to listen to me and see something other than my gender or station. You were the first to see me as something other than a burden. And to see you have a brilliant mind that you use for good… I love you, too.”
They leaned into one another and shared a soft kiss, chaste in the way they reserved for public displays, but Virion’s eyes promised more. Nemiah could stare into those eyes forever. “If I’d told you a day sooner how my heart felt, it’d have not meant as much as it does now, but I’ve wanted to say it since the moment you set foot in my lab.”
Alluin is king only in name. My bloodline ends with him and begins with Virion. His children shall seat the throne of Liaberos and hold the cup of Vitalis aloft. And from this day forward, no omega shall be denied speaking to me. May they pray to me and feel my glory and blessings. Know now, Liaberos. If you do not heed my warnings, Vitalis will turn to poison and a thousand years of darkness, I will promise you.
Nemiah chanced a glance toward Alluin, who sat pale-faced, cheeks growing red as he poorly hid his growing rage.
Speak, Alluin.
Alluin stood and cleared his throat, speaking as loud as his wheedling voice could carry. “As the goddess has commanded, in her light, we obey.”
As the sun came into full fruition, the light bathed them first, spreading out among the crowd as Virion inhaled the power in the air and flit his wings, drawing them into a flitting hum. As he rose off his feet, Nemiah rose too, flying to one another as their arms entwined. The kiss that followed, while less chaste, held all the promise of a wonderful life to come.
When the moment ended and they landed on pointed toes, the crowd bowed in silence before rising and dispersing at the behest of the priests. Alluin couldn’t look at the two of them, his gaze anywhere but on them until he found his daughter, face twisted into a scowl. “Saria…”
Her face twisted into something bitter and full of disgust, but she said nothing, holding her shame in silence. After all, she dared not call the goddess a liar.
“I suppose the wedding is off?” Virion stared his sister down as she turned her head away in shame.
A young male sat beside her and while he didn’t appear to be happy, he wasn’t enraged. He stood and held his hand out to Saria. “Come, dear. This changes nothing of our union.”
“You’ve every right to cancel the ceremony. You’re under no obligation if the child is not yours.” Alluin braced his shoulders tight.
The male turned back and stared Alluin down. “This is something we will discuss and grow beyond.”
“Kinsir, you cannot—” King Alluin spluttered and Saria clenched her fists, head bowed in shame.
“I can. Saria and I share a lover, and I can no more fault her than I can fault myself.” Her suitor, Kinsir, Nemiah supposed, took her hand and gave Nemiah and Virion a nod of respect before striding out of the temple.
Virion nodded in response and took Nemiah’s hand as they saw themselves out, Alluin on their heels. “Have you something to say, Father?”
Alluin opened his mouth to speak a few times and closed his mouth in silence. Still, Virion waited politely.
“Your mother tried to warn me before she passed. She said that the goddess loved you so much. I didn’t think it true.” Alluin swallowed hard. “What is done is done.”
“And cannot be undone. I think our relationship shall remain transactional and cordial. I will be returning to Drashil with my mate and will visit Liaberos after the little one is born to bless the springs once more and introduce the babe to the goddess.” Virion rested a hand over his belly and turned his head to stare at the light still aglow in the window. “I hope that we stay on better terms. And for what it is worth, I am sorry that Saria and Seidrik have fallen short of your ideals.”
Alluin’s entire posture fell as he sagged beneath it all. Seidrik would sire no offspring, and Saria bore a bastard. The entirety of his line fell on the one son he made clear he never wanted.
“Question, Father.” Virion turned to face his father, face unreadable.
Alluin raised his gaze, the fire gone from his eyes. Full defeat.
“Did you honestly believe I was six thalms?”
“I…” Alluin shook his head. “Seidrik passed on the information from your tutors. With you being omega and so low in thalms, right after your mother passed, I didn’t care anymore.”
Virion stared Alluin down before nodding once and turning his back. “Have people show him how to use the Telecon. Nemiah and I will be on our way home this evening. The weather here doesn’t suit the babe this time of year.”
They strode away with Alluin standing dumbfounded, no words he could say in response to all that had happened. Not as much as a goodbye or a word of praise passed Alluin’s lips.
As their guards assembled and brought around a carriage, Nemiah swept a hand around Virion’s waist. It felt odd, having been acknowledged by their goddess, united and recognized by his first mother. Virion didn’t react, though, as stoic as Nemiah had pressured him to be.
“Sugarmoth, my mate,” Nemiah said as they sidled into the carriage.
Virion glanced up, his face falling into exhaustion and relief once the door shut.
“What did happen to your mother?”
Virion leaned into Nemiah’s side and shrugged. “She and my brother died in childbirth. It wasn’t my father’s child, so they kept it quiet.”
“Oh.” Nemiah stroked over Virion’s head. “How would he have known?”
“Dusk child.” Virion buried his face in Nemiah’s neck and let a shuddering breath loose. “So, quite obviously, it wasn’t his.”
“Oh. I am so sorry. Did you find out who the father was or…”
“No clue. She never was seen with a night fae. Someone would have noticed and if it was against her will, she’d have taken preparations…” Virion averted his gaze and drew a circle with his finger over Nemiah’s knee. “Even I knew of the precautions to take if I were to have made a mistake, or was made someone’s mistake.”
Nemiah nodded. He hated that females and omegas had concerns like that. He hoped his mate never had those fears again.
“Not that anyone’s gotten close enough to try. Well, save for the new eunuch.” Virion waved his hand dismissively. “My personal barriers provide me with the defenses I need for those situations, and I am not like my brother. I didn’t frequent public venues.”
Nemiah nodded, letting his mate speak as he sought his hand for a gentle grasp. “You’re so very strong and smart. I’ll never get over that.”
“And you never judge someone by their status. You never held me to an omega’s standard, even at the beginning, you viewed me as an equal.”
“Not an equal. I admit I didn’t view you as aristocracy, but I viewed you as fae. I do not treat anyone poorly that is made to serve me. And you were given to me to perform a very important task.” Nemiah leaned down to kiss the top of his head. “You are my better in so many ways now that I have come to know you.”
“You’re sweet.” Virion hummed and leaned into Nemiah’s affection until the jostling cart came to a halt none too soon. The pallor of his mate’s face had slowly drained into a sickly pale, reminding him of how important the thalmway had been as compared to conventional carriage, especially for those with child.
As they disembarked, their guards lined up to make their way toward their carriage. The train was not due to leave for several more hours, but they had to wait for Sima to be ready and the cargo to be loaded. In addition, their things needed to be brought back from the castle. They’d planned on staying a few nights, but with the way cargo needed to move, continuing to bring the blacksteel rails and flashpine ties, it was no hardship to take them home early. In fact, they’d kept the option open.
“You certain you want to take the boy?” Virion strode forward and climbed into their car, settling down comfortably.
“I don’t see why not. He was feisty and can read. I appreciate someone who doesn’t hold their tongue. He spoke his truth and settled when we showed him different. All things that matter to me in an attendant.” Nemiah settled in beside him and waited for the boy to be brought.