16. Gaius
Chapter 16
Gaius
“ S oon” came with the sunrise.
It was early, and we were focused on one another as we left her apartment instead of our surroundings. I had my hand at the small of Lovette’s back as we walked, my cane assisting with the trek per her nonnegotiable orders. I’d leaned in close to whisper one of my intentions for our time alone later on. It made her blush and blurt a laugh just as Magnus and Imogen came around the edge of the building together.
“Oh! Good morning,” Lovette greeted them, the hand that she’d placed on my arm dropping slowly to her side. “I was just about to check on the patients.”
Magnus’s gaze traveled between us, surprise and something darker flashing in his eyes. Imogen seemed to be bracing for her father’s response more than anything, which I understood. She’d been the one to give me the gift suggestions, after all, so she clearly knew there was something between us.
“Good morning, Lovette, Gaius.” Magnus’s eyebrows drew together. “No need, the councilmen have been transported back to d’Arcan for further detainment.”
“The collegium? Not the camp?” Lovette asked, shifting her weight from one foot to the other under her father’s stare. “Were they healed enough to travel after stone sleeping?”
“Yes, they were perfectly well, the lucky bastards. We’ve invited the archmage and his brother to serve as neutral parties for their imprisonment while the council decides next steps. The labor camp seemed a bit too aggressive to the council and the outpost too high risk as far as a possible unknown ally on the inside.”
“Seems wise.” I nodded.
“Did you already eat breakfast?” Lovette asked.
“Just finished,” Imogen answered. “If you hurry, the bread will still be warm.”
Magnus crossed his arms, widening his stance as he did so. I recognized the posture, and my blood rose in response, needing nothing further to prepare to defend my mate. Lovette saw it as well and patted my arm in much the same way Imogen reached out to grip her father’s shoulder.
“Is there… a we between the two of you?” Magnus asked, his attention focused on Lovette. I wasn’t sure if he was covering rage, disgust, or some other emotion, or if he was truly just asking a question. Either way, I didn’t care for the tone he used. It made the bond flare to angry life, and made every little hair on my body standing straight up.
“Don't do that,” I gritted out.
“Sorry? Do what, exactly?” Magnus's head tilted a bit as his eyes shifted between me and his daughter.
“There’s no reason to speak to her that way, General.”
His frown deepened. “What way is that, Gaius?”
“Like you’re accusing her of something sordid.”
“I did no such thing.”
“Hey,” Lovette interrupted, one arm out to each of us, as though interrupting a fight that hadn’t yet begun. “There’s no need for this, truly.”
“I’m just asking if my daughter has become romantically involved with someone. A man I believed to be a friend. This isn’t some ploy, is it, Gaius? I believed your apologies were genuine at the Empty Cask. Were they? Or were there ulterior motives at play?” He scowled, eyebrows drawn together and mouth a firm line.
“They were genuine, and nothing about our friendship has changed as far as I'm concerned. But you will not speak to or about my mate in a disparaging way, Magnus. Not even if she is your daughter. I won’t allow it. She’s mine and I will protect her, even from you.”
“I have not spoken to her in any kind of way.” He paused, staring me down while he considered the whole of what I’d said. “Lovette?”
“I appreciate the gesture, but I can handle my father on my own,” she told me, warning in her eyes. “You heard right, Father. Gaius is my mate.” She said the words plainly, her shoulders back and head held high. There was no shame in them, no fear. I was awed by her beauty and confidence in that moment, like so many others. My bond burned under my ribs, pride inflating my chest with her bold claim.
“Mates,” Magnus said, slightly breathless. Imogen blew out a breath as though she too had been nervously awaiting this moment.
My instinct to lash out was too strong. I found offense where there might not be any, in an effort to protect myself. I bit out, “Am I not allowed to have even one, General? You’ve been gifted two after all. Do you begrudge the rest of us from finding what you have?”
“Of course I don’t, Gaius.” He frowned, hurt in his voice. He relaxed his stance. “Are you comfortable with this match, Lovette?”
“It poses some challenges, as most relationships do,” she said, grinning at me, “but I am well satisfied with who the fates have chosen for me.”
“I see.”
“I did what I could to deny the bond existed when I first figured it out, for what little it was worth,” I stated, realizing too late my words might wound Lovette. “This wasn’t intentional.”
“The best and worst things in life never are.” Magnus’s mouth curled into a weak smile.
“He was prepared to go mad for me.” Lovette shrugged, as though that explained it all. I appreciated that she didn’t mention my offer to die for her. That seemed a bit much, all things considered, true or not.
Magnus looked between us several times, his posture relaxing further each time his eyes moved from her to me and back again. “I am happy for you, if you are glad of the match. Both of you. I can’t think of two people more deserving of the joy a true mate can bring.”
I scowled at him, trying to detect the deception I was sure was there under his kind words. Lovette, on the other hand, bounced up on her toes, pulling away from me to throw her arms around her father’s neck.
“I told him that’s how you would feel.”
Magnus stared at me over his daughter’s shoulder, no doubt taking stock of his unexpected new relation. “Many pairings are… unconventional. My own included. Who am I to argue with the fates?” he asked, though it sounded a little like he wanted to do just that. “Gaius, we need to have a discussion later—unrelated to this, of course.”
“What about?” I bristled.
“We seem to be lacking proper training staff at the outpost at the moment. Too many men retiring out and not enough with the skills to replace them. I thought perhaps, you might find a good fit there.”
My stomach clenched. “I don’t need a pity post, Magnus.”
He clucked his tongue at me, as though I were a confused youngling. “This is anything but, I assure you. The only men left manning the training academy sector of the military outpost here in Revalia are Woldrop and Prater.” I unintentionally made a face. “Precisely.” Magnus sighed.
“What about Rumford and Bogan? Jennor?”
“All retired, along with a handful of others from the ranks. It’s been quite a year.” Magnus sighed again, looking tired. How he kept everything organized like he did wore me out on his behalf. I’d been more than happy to stick to my little corner of the city, with my men and my responsibilities.
“Alright. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to listen.”
“Wonderful. I’ll catch up with you this evening then. Meetinghouse?”
“Yes, I’ll come meet you.”
“Father, before you go, how do you feel about Brom?” Lovette chirped.
Magnus frowned, thoughtful. “The leathersmith’s apprentice? I don’t know, seems nice enough. Wasn’t he in your brother’s class? Why?”
Imogen threw a glare that should have incinerated Lovette where she stood but only seemed to provide her with amusement before giving her father’s arm one final pat. Then she took a step away from our gathering. “Congratulations, the pair of you.” She threw another deadly look at Lovette before turning her attention to her father. “ I’m going to tend my furnace.” She gestured back to us. “ They are going to go eat some breakfast, and you are going to check in with the archmage, yes?”
“Yes, that’s—” Magnus started, but Imogen wasn’t done.
“Also, Ophelia invited you to visit if you needed some encouragement with these new developments, though you’re taking this all rather well, I think.”
“Ophelia?” we asked her in chorus, which made Lovette’s mouth twitch in amusement while mine tightened.
“When did you see Ophelia?” Magnus asked, the notion that they’d gone to the ancient sorceress now clearly his primary concern, and I could relate. She was a terrifyingly unpredictable woman.
“Not long ago. She sends her regards and extended an invitation to visit should you need some… clarity on the subject of mate bonds. I hear she’s very fond of salted licorice.”
“Yes, I’m aware,” he mumbled, following behind her as her long legs carried her toward the forge.
When I turned from watching them walk away, adrenaline still pumping through my blood, I found Lovette smiling at me. “Come on, I’m starving.”
“Is he being genuine?” I asked. Left with no choice, I followed as she tugged me down the path toward the meetinghouse doors.
“Of course he is. Have you ever known him to be false?” As we loaded up our plates and took seats across from one another for the first time in full view of our kin, I realized I never had. Magnus was honest to a fault and good natured. My interpretation of his responses were a reflection of me, not of him. And the opportunity to train the next batch of stone kin youth into efficient soldiers did hold a certain appeal.
I felt knots of tension release from my shoulders as Lovette covered my hand with hers. There were eyes on us, I could feel them, but she didn’t care. I straightened, deciding that if she was unbothered, I could be too. Besides, I never wanted her to think I was anything less than proud to be seen with her.
“I'm sorry for what I said about trying to deny the bond?—”
“Stop worrying about it. I wasn't offended. Just be happy, Gaius.” Her joy translated directly through the way she held herself proudly, the way she smiled. The glow in my chest where our bond connected us. She was not afraid nor ashamed of what anyone in the meetinghouse had to say now that her father knew.
As we ate, her hand remained where it was, thumb gently stroking along the back of my hand. I appreciated the grounding it provided, the quiet in my head her touch always gave.
When we stood to leave, I caught the eye of several kin on our way to the door, my cane an additional thump on the wood floor as we went. They all gave a polite nod, a smile, or both.
Approval. Congratulations. Community.
I needed it all much more than they knew. And once again, I had a bold, golden-haired healer to thank for it.