Nightfall: Book Two of the Chronicles of Arden (5 page)

King Rishi’s thin lips curled slyly. “It’s no boasting matter when it takes a man this long to figure out how the hell to
make
a baby!”

Koal rolled his eyes at both men. “Be sure to inform me how well you’re able to keep up with the little one once he begins to run rampant through your home.”

“I’ll manage!” countered Marc. “And the child only stands to benefit from the wealth of knowledge I’ve acquired over the years.”

Koal snorted. “Yes. All forty-something of them.”

As Marc and Koal continued to banter, Joel’s attention shifted to the understudies still standing on the gallery steps. Liro had stormed from the chamber, but three young men remained—his cousins, Didier Adelwijn and Hasain Radek, and, standing beside them, Gibben Nemesio. Joel’s heart hammered in his chest.

Six moonturns had done little to change Gib’s appearance. Modest of stature but never lacking in bravery, Gib regarded Joel with devout attention, and the smile playing on Gib’s lips suggested he was excited to see the other man. Gib’s hair was longer than Joel remembered—soft mousy curls that just barely grazed his shoulders—and as always, Gib’s rich, sun-kissed skin beckoned for touch. How long had it been since they’d held one another in an embrace?
Too long
.

Joel trembled as he studied his companion through heavy lashes but found feet and mind frozen, unable to move or even call out a greeting. It was a good thing Diddy had the clarity to step forward and break the awkward lull, or Joel might have been destined to stand there the remainder of the day.

“I’m so glad you’ve returned,” Diddy exclaimed. Sweeping up beside Joel, the prince didn’t hesitate to hug his cousin.

Joel gave Diddy a gentle pat on the back. “Were you worried I wouldn’t?”

“I’ve read of the lavish parties and vibrant scenery in Raja,” Diddy replied, a twinkle in his dark eyes. “I wouldn’t have been surprised if you’d chosen to take up permanent residence there.”

Hasain chuckled. “With so much of
interest
here in Arden?” He flashed a smug smile in Gib’s direction before turning to face Joel. “I’m shocked Joel was gone as long as he was.” Hasain offered his hand for a shake. “Welcome back.”

Joel felt his face grow warm at the insinuation but brushed it off as Hasain’s best attempt at humor. “Lord Hasain, I do recall you yourself sending letters home, agonizing of a homesick heart, while on your internship only one wheelturn ago. Or have you already forgotten?”

Hasain’s face pinched, but for once, he seemed to be at a loss for words.

Joel clasped his cousin’s hand and smiled. “Regardless, thank you for the warm welcome, cousin.”

The young Radek lord grunted in response, but Joel had already turned his attention toward the last remaining understudy still to be greeted. Gib stepped down from the gallery staircase, wringing his hands together. He seemed unable to maintain eye contact, which was just as well, because Joel was having an exceptionally hard time meeting the other man’s gaze. Joel’s stomach and throat felt heavy, as though a giant rock sat at the base of each and prevented him from moving or speaking, and despite the cool air pouring through the window, the room seemed unbearably warm.

Joel sucked in a breath of air when he realized Gib was standing directly ahead.
Say something!
Joel opened his mouth but found himself unable to form words.

And then Gib’s soft voice rose above the buzzing in Joel’s ears, and the silence came crashing down. “Hello.”

The single word was enough to break the ice, and Joel found his own voice just as he’d begun to doubt he ever would. “Hello, Gib.”

“I’m glad you’re home.” A shy, handsome smile crossed Gib’s face. “I–I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

Joel resisted the urge to kiss Gib, instead, offering a hand for a simple shake. Gib took hold of it without hesitation, squeezing Joel’s fingertips. Joel caressed the other man’s palm for a brief moment before releasing the hand and dropping his own arm back into place at his side. They would have time later for a proper reunion—when their affections weren’t being aired for all to see. As it stood right now, Joel could feel the eyes of the other gathered men upon him.

Gib seemed to understand and went back to wringing his hands together. “When did you get in?”

Joel cleared his throat. “Just now. Ambassador Cenric and I were on our way to brief the King and Seneschal Koal.” He cast a glance over his shoulder, in the direction of his mentor.
I hope this briefing doesn’t take all night
.
I’d love nothing more than to go home and spend time with Gib
.

Cenric Leal possessed no magic, but in that moment, it was as though the ambassador could read Joel’s thoughts. “I’ll deal with all the paperwork. Why don’t you go catch up with your friends?” He winked at Joel.

“Thank you.” Joel bowed his head to hide his pink cheeks. Now if only Gib wasn’t on duty.

Koal exchanged a silent, knowing glance with Cenric, and then he dismissed his own understudy. “Gibben, we’ll go over the notes from the council session later. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Gib opened his mouth to respond, but his words fell upon deaf ears as Koal, Cenric, King Rishi, and the rest of their entourage had already turned and were talking amongst themselves as they departed.

Joel rubbed the back of his neck. “I suppose I should go see Mother and the girls. Would you like to accompany me?”

“Did you even have to ask?” Gib replied, laughing.
 

A mark later found Joel and Gib standing in the grand entranceway of the Adelwijn estate. The family servant, a wiry man with greying hair named Otos, let them inside, and almost immediately, Joel’s mother and sisters flocked into the room in a flurry of exuberant screams and cheers.

Lady Mrifa threw both arms around her son’s neck. “Oh, by the Light of Daya!” she squealed. “You’re home!”

Nearly toppling from the force of the embrace, Joel managed to laugh before his face was covered by kisses. He sighed but tolerated the fawning for the time being. Mrifa kissed his forehead and each of his cheeks, her vice-like grip around his neck nearly enough to choke him.

“Oh, Joel. I feared you would
never
return!” Mrifa wailed against his chest.

Behind him, Heidi’s voice sounded exasperated. “Mother, stop being so
embarrassing
.”

Mrifa wiped a tear from her eye as she finally relinquished her hold. She whipped around to regard her daughter, pursing plump, cherry lips. “Heidi Adelwijn, when you have children, you’ll understand the worry a mother goes through when her babies go off seeking danger—”

“Danger?” Joel chuckled. “I was in Shantar, Mother, perhaps one of the most peaceful nations this side of the sea—”

“Even so! A thousand things could have gone wrong,” Mrifa fretted. She paused, toying with a strand of blonde hair. “A lady at court told me of all the venomous snakes in Shantar. What if you’d been bitten by one, Joel? You might have
died
!”

Joel pressed his lips together to contain the ridiculous smile threatening to spread across his face. “The people of Shantar have been dealing with snake bites for centuries. Their healers are as well trained as ours in Arden. Had it happened—which it didn’t—I would have been fine.”

Mrifa rested one of her small hands against the side of his face. “Promise you won’t worry me again, Joel.”

Now it was Carmen’s turn to snicker. The youngest of Joel’s siblings crossed her arms over her bosom. “Chhaya’s bane, Mother! What do you plan to do? Lock him inside the estate for the rest of his life?”

“Don’t give her any ideas,” Heidi groaned.

Joel managed to escape Mrifa’s grasp and went to greet his sisters, giving each a hug. He held the younger of the two at arm’s length after the embrace had ended. “I think you’ve gotten taller.”

“I have.” Carmen beamed.

“She’s blossomed into a beautiful young woman.” Mrifa gave her daughter a hard look. “Not that anyone can see her beauty beneath all those boy’s clothes she chooses to wear.”

Carmen stuck out her tongue. “I’m going to be a royal guardswoman one day.”

“It wouldn’t pain you to wear a dress once in a while—”

“Mother, I don’t
like
dresses! Just because Heidi enjoys dolling herself up like a princess doesn’t mean I do!”

Joel looked down so Mrifa wouldn’t catch his smile. As the young lady bested her mother with a sharp tongue and wit, Carmen sounded very much like Gib’s friend, Kezra Malin-Rai. In fact, since that first year when Gib and Kezra had shared weaponry class together, scores of young girls had made the decision to join the military—Carmen included. The trend to forgo basket-weaving and cooking classes in favor of physical training and politics seemed to be growing in popularity among the young women of Arden.

“Are you hungry, Joel? Gib?” Mrifa asked, face still pinched. “Tabitha is cooking us a lovely stew for dinner.”

Joel nodded even as his stomach gurgled.

Likewise, Gib’s eyes lit up at the mention of food. “That sounds wonderful, Lady.”

Taking hold of her heavy velvet and lace skirt, Mrifa marched toward the kitchen, stopping long enough to give Gib’s cheek an affectionate pinch as she passed. It seemed as though her jubilant demeanor had once again returned. “I’ll inform Tabitha to set two extra plates at the table.”
 

After bellies were full and he’d told his mother and sisters every detail of his journey, Joel excused himself from the table. Tabitha had taken it upon herself to draw him a warm bath, for which the mage was grateful. The day’s excitement had begun to take its toll, and by the time Joel finished climbing the marble staircase and stripped his clothing, nothing in the world sounded more wonderful than a bath.

A sigh escaped Joel’s mouth as he slid into the tub. The water verged on scorching hot, and it turned his fair skin a lovely shade of pink within moments. He settled into the water and quickly found his weary muscles relaxing.

As the steam danced across the top of the water and dampened his raven hair, Joel’s eyelids fluttered closed. The aromatic oils Tabitha had placed in the water seeped into his skin, bathing him in drowsy heat. The spicy, floral scents reminded Joel of those in Shantar, and despite his excitement to be home, he found himself missing the city of Raja and its colorful culture. Thinking back on his time there, it seemed to have passed by so fast.

Yet he’d been there long enough for a seed to be planted in his soul. Observing Cenric work magic—the magic of words—had a profound impact on Joel. He’d watched in amazement as his mentor bridged the gap between differing cultures and political viewpoints, creating harmonious treaties that would benefit not only one country, but all. With no threats given or shouts exchanged, wielding only words and compassion, Cenric accomplished more in six moonturns than the High Council of Arden had accomplished in the past six years.

The idea of changing the world through peaceful negotiation struck a deep chord in Joel’s heart, and he found himself dreaming of a time when he could do the same. He wanted to do what Cenric did. Joel wanted to not only see the world, but enlighten it. Perhaps he would even have opportunities to make peace with Shiraz. The High Council seemed to think war was the only solution, but what if it didn’t have to come to that? What if peace were possible?