Chapter Twenty-Five #3
“Secret entrance,” Tor whispered mournfully, like that was all there was to say about it.
On a more superficial level, most of the trophies were gone, the creepy pool of death had been drained, and they were redecorating the entire family wing.
“We want you to come visit sometimes,” Nawila pointed out, nudging Tor. “We’ve got lots of spare bedrooms.”
“About that,” Tor said, looking sheepish. “I’ve kind of got somewhere else to be for a while…”
Given that Pamexa was now ruling Filon, Tor and Pel wanted to fill her in on what was happening with the exiles. There was still a lot to figure out, but they didn’t want her to be alarmed by any of their growing pains.
Thankfully, Pamexa and Nawila both found it hilarious.
“I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more,” Pamexa said gleefully, looking at Tor. “You’re slightly ridiculous but always awesome, especially now. You and Pel bring out the best in one another.”
That was exactly how Pel felt. Neither of them were perfect, and they definitely hadn’t been planning for any of it, but together, they’d accomplished some amazing things.
They both had a purpose now, and someone to share that purpose with—and a family to rely on—and that was everything that Pel could ask for.
One thing had become abundantly apparent to Pel over the days they’d spent together, though, and that night, as Pel and Tor curled up together in bed, he said, “You’ve slept with him, haven’t you?”
“Hmm?” Tor said sleepily.
“Rin. You’ve slept with him.”
Tor’s entire body stiffened. “Uh.”
Pel snorted and stroked a hand down his arm. “It’s all right. It would explain a lot, that’s all. I still can’t believe that you made him dye his hair. Terila says it was hideous.”
Tor laughed, looking hugely relieved. “It wasn’t that bad, but we all agreed that he looks better when he’s pretty and blond.
We’re friends, and that friendship occasionally…
strayed into the realm of sex. Mostly, we occasionally ended up in bed with lovely ladies and gentlemen together, but very occasionally it was just the two of us. It certainly won’t happen again.”
“Terila would kill you,” Pel pointed out smugly.
Tor made a face. “Yes, she certainly would. You?”
“Wouldn’t have to,” Pel answered promptly, “since Terila would do it for me.”
Tor was silent for a moment as he met Pel’s gaze. “Are you really all right with it? I wasn’t precisely trying to hide it, but I wasn’t going to tell you.” He frowned suddenly. “Wait, is that like before? I think I said I wouldn’t keep secrets! Sorry!”
Pel laughed, more amused by Tor’s being flustered than anything.
“No, I understand. This happened before we even knew one another. Honestly, I thought about not saying anything, but the way you interact with one another, all that history… I mean, I don’t want blow-by-blow details, but I don’t want you to have to hide. ”
Tor pressed a grateful kiss to his lips. “I love you.”
Pel did the same. “I love you, too.”
Tor’s eyes were big and blue and intent. “You know there’s nobody for me but you, right?”
With studied nonchalance, Pel said, “I’m not so sure. Maybe you need to prove it.”
He giggled as Tor pounced.
They could have stayed together for weeks, but there was still lots that Pel and Tor needed to do. Although it was a little out of their way, after they left Fila, they stopped briefly in Zanay so they could see Gornexi, Somila, and Marwila.
Terila was apparently planning to come for a visit after the baby was born, which would mark the first time she’d been to Bessar since her sister had married Gornexi.
They really were working on a truly united United Realms. It might not be through the marriages that Varex had originally planned, but Pel was quite sure that these results were better.
They were forging true relationships and true friendships that could last through anything.
In a month’s time, a rulers’ summit would bring them all together formally. By then, Somila should have given birth, and Tor and Pel would have had the chance to spend some time on the exiles’ land.
Bavex and Pamexa would be formally crowned—and they could all discuss what was happening with Tor. Since half the rulers now knew anyway, and rumors were only likely to spread, Varex had given permission for Tor and Pel to fill Gornexi in on what had happened.
They looked surprised by the whole thing but agreed readily that the United Realms should come up with a better solution.
“We’re not supposed to care who was on which side of the war, are we?” they asked. “That was the whole point of the peace accords. Yet somehow, we seem to have forgotten about those who tried so hard not to pick a side. Let me know what I can do to help.”
“We will. Thank you.”
Every realm had agreed to help so far, although Terila had offered on behalf of her parents, and it was possible they’d have a different view. Still, even if that was the case, they were the furthest away from the exiles, and Tor and Pel had the support of the younger generation. And the High King.
It made real change seem possible. And giving everyone the information before the summit increased the likelihood that real concerns and recommendations would be raised then. They wanted to make the time productive.
They only stayed one night in Zanay, and then they made their way to Tond. Tor breathed a sigh of relief when they crossed the border.
“It feels more like coming home than I expected.”
Pel looked over at him. “Yeah?”
Tor nodded. “I mean, Alossa is home, but… more like it’s where my childhood was, you know?
And then I drifted, and even when I lived there, I didn’t feel totally connected to it.
The time here with you, actually visiting the people—it really connected me to this place, I guess.
I hope it’s the same on the other side of the mountain. ”
Pel had been three when the land over the mountain had been removed from Tond to make room for the exiles as the peace accords were drawn up. He didn’t remember ever having been there.
“From what Bav’s said, there was steady trade over the mountain back in the day. I guess we’ll see what it’s like now, and hopefully, that’s something we can get back to.”
Tor nodded. “It’s always good to have goals. And to work together to achieve them.”
“Definitely nicer than going it alone,” Pel said with a nod.
“No more doing that ever,” Tor told him.
Pel agreed. It was a good feeling.
In Baless, they met up with Bav and Lara again. Already, it didn’t quite feel like home to Pel—or maybe like his childhood home, just like Tor had observed about Alossa. He was pretty sure that was because home had become a person rather than a place.