The Goblin King's Lovers (3 page)

“
My prince, are you all
right?”

Davin rolled to his back and saw Lorne
standing over him with a cup of tea. He hadn’t even heard Lorne
return. “Yes.”

“
You look
troubled.”

If he told Lorne he’d been wondering
if they would ever fall in love, Lorne would probably laugh dryly
and say that Davin should not be worrying about such things yet.
Davin sat up and took the offered cup. “I’m simply
tired.”

Lorne poured himself half a cup and
sat on the bed beside Davin. “This will help you sleep.”

A thought drifted into Davin’s mind.
“May I train with you tomorrow?”

Lorne blinked a couple of times but
soon recovered. “Yes, any time you like.”

“
You move so stealthily. I
didn’t even hear you come in.”

Lorne gave a slight smile. “I was
trying not to make noise. But I’d like for you to come. You’re old
enough to start, I think. I’ll teach you to fence. To meditate,
focus your strength.”

Davin smiled, happy at the thought of
spending even more time with Lorne. “You’ll beat me at
fencing.”

“
I’ll be instructing you.
You trust me to teach you other things.”

“
Of course.” Over the past
three years, Lorne had taught him many things indeed. For whatever
reason, Lorne thought Davin would make a good king one day, but the
idea worried Davin most of the time.

Lorne didn’t say anything else,
seeming to get lost in his own thoughts. Davin always wanted to ask
him what was on his mind when his eyes took on that faraway look,
but he never did. They finished their tea, and Lorne set the tray
aside, close to the door. Davin climbed into bed and burrowed under
the covers, trying not to stare as Lorne stripped and dressed in a
pair of simple, loose linen pants to sleep in. He did not wear a
matching shirt, as Davin did, and when he climbed into bed, Davin
rolled to his back and averted his eyes. His father had warned him
when he was ten that he would at times feel awkward around Lorne as
they both grew up, but Davin hadn’t fully understood it until
now.

Lorne rolled to his back as well, but
his hand found Davin’s under the sheets. “You can tell me anything,
Davin,” Lorne said softly.

Davin smiled despite his sudden
nervousness. He loved it when Lorne called him by his name. “I was
thinking that I know I’ll sleep better in here.” He squeezed
Lorne’s hand and looked over at him. “That’s how things are when
you’re around. Better.”

Those had not been his exact thoughts,
but they were as close as he dared.

Lorne lifted Davin’s hand and kissed
it, and then he let their hands rest on top of the covers. “That’s
exactly how I feel.” He sighed and turned his head, closing his
eyes. “Wake me if you need anything.”

I have everything I need
already.
With that thought, Davin closed
his eyes, his headache soon easing enough that he fell asleep.
Dreams of the future filled his mind, but the vague visions didn’t
compare to the happiness he felt waking the next morning to the
feel of Lorne’s arm resting protectively across his
chest.

* * * *

Eva hacked at the dirt with her small
spade in yet another attempt to loosen some of the rocks. Nika came
and knelt beside her to look.

“
Maybe we should pick
another spot of shade for these flowers,” Nika said. She reached
out and touched the soil. A brush of her fingers revealed even more
rocks. “Could put a little rock garden here. Make little patterns
with them.”

“
And some garden gnomes,”
Eva said.

Nika’s eyebrows went together.
“What?”

“
Um … little short people
with funny pointed hats. Back home, they’re used to decorate
gardens.”

“
That sounds cute. Maybe
the stonecutter could make some.” Nika stood and put her hand out
to help Eva up. She glanced around. “There, the little corner by
the kitchen window where the wall sticks out to connect to the
fence. We can line a little plot with stones.” She moved off.
“They’re still stones in the wheelbarrow.”

Eva went to the little corner and
began yanking weeds up. Then she began in the corner to clear the
patchy grass. Nika wheeled the stones over and pulled out her own
spade to help.

As they worked, Eva tried to build up
her courage. When they began placing the stones, she said, “I’ve
been thinking about going to school soon. Davin said I would like
it, and King Urzen told me one of the teachers could come see me
before I start so I can ask her questions.”

“
That sounds like a fine
idea,” Nika said. “You’ll learn more about our world. Might make
you feel more at home. You’re already so smart I think you’ll do
quite well.”

“
I hope so. Some things
are different. Science and everything.”

“
Science? That’s a new
one.”

Eva searched her brain, but she’d yet
to run across an Elari word that meant the same thing. “The way
nature works. How these flowers grow. That stuff. There are just
some things that are different. Like snow.”

“
Snow?” Nika said as she
dug a hole for the first flower to go into.

Eva nodded. She picked up the tiny
clay pot and gently eased the small flower out, careful of the
clump of dirt around its roots. She placed the plant in the hole
and watched Nika pat the dirt down. “Frozen rain. Like fluffy
little clumps of ice. I was reading about weather, and I saw
nothing about snow.”

“
Must get cold there, if
rain can freeze.”

“
It does. Summer is very
hot, and winter is extremely cold. You can’t go outside without
lots of extra clothes. Here season are marked by differences in
light, not heat. I’ll have to relearn those kinds of
things.”

“
Sounds awful. I love
being outside. I wouldn’t like months of cold.”

“
I like being outside
too.” Eva sighed as she readied the next plant. “In a way, it was
my fault. Ending up here.”

Nika kept working, but she raised her
eyes. “What do you mean?”

“
I asked to go camping,
and my foster parents had plans most weekends. They finally had a
free one, but it was supposed to storm. They said if we didn’t go
that weekend, we wouldn’t have time again until it was too cold, so
I said I didn’t mind if it rained. They had a camper.” She paused,
thinking how to explain. “A sort of covered vehicle, much bigger
than a cart. I got bored and went outside. Then the storm came, and
I got lost.”

“
And then I found you?”
Nika asked after a long silence.

“
Yes. I should have just
sat quietly and read, like they suggested. But I wanted to be
outside.”

“
It’s not your fault. They
could have changed their plans, could have paid attention to the
storm coming and kept you inside. It sounds like they didn’t
appreciate what they had. You’re a very good girl.”

“
They were both doctors.
Something was always going on. They took me in because it looked
good. This charity or something that worked with the hospital
suggested it.” She shrugged. “There are lots of unwanted children
in my world.”

Nika stopped and put her hands over
Eva’s to make her stop too. “You’re wanted here. I’m glad I was the
one to find you. My little Ana would be happy that room isn’t empty
anymore.”

“
She was so pretty.”
Miniature paintings of Nika’s daughter sat all over the house.
She’d had bright red curls like her mother. There were no pictures
or anything of Ana’s father, so Eva didn’t ask about
him.

“
Yes, she was.” Nika began
working again. “There are more of her books in the spare room.
Maybe we can find a history book. Then maybe talk to the teacher?
Get her to come?”

Eva smiled and nodded. “Yes, I’d like
that.” She readied the next flower.

“
It was kind of the prince
to walk you home.”

Eva tried not to blush. “Yes, it
was.”

“
Where did Lorne get off
to?” Nika asked.

Nika liked to talk about Lorne, but
Eva had no idea why. “He stayed behind. I think he and the king had
something to discuss.”

“
Lorne has lots of
responsibilities on his shoulders. For one so young.”

Eva thought about that. “Yes, he
does.” Fifteen was young, considering all the tasks he had to do.
Every time she saw him, he was doing something for someone else.
She repositioned on the ground to take the pressure off her left
knee. “He told me he’s half goblin.”

“
Yes, his mother was one.
But he looks like his father. And his mother was fair, her skin a
very light blue.” Nika gave Eva a glance. “Did it surprise
you?”

“
Yeah, it did,” Eva said.
“I’ve probably hurt people’s feelings, haven’t I? Being scared of
goblins, I mean. I was kind of startled, and Lorne seemed
bothered.”

“
Maybe he was. I don’t
know. Lorne’s hard to understand.”

“
He is. The prince is
nice.”

“
Oh yes, he’s very sweet.”
Nika gave her yet another glance. “And so is Lorne, if you give him
a chance.”

Eva didn’t say anything, and they
worked in silence until all the flowers were in place. As they
moved to another part of the garden, Eva looked to the road, hoping
she might catch a glimpse of the prince and Lorne, as they often
walked around the village in the afternoon. But she
didn’t.

* * * *

Lorne gazed around his bedroom,
surprised Davin wasn’t there. But then a sigh from the balcony
caught his attention. Lorne pushed the curtains aside and went out
to sit beside his prince.

“
There you are,” Lorne
said as he moved closer. “Are you all right? You’ve been pensive
the past few nights.”

“
I’m thinking about the
future. Father and I were talking again today. When I’m king, so
many people will expect me to have all the answers and know what is
best. How will I be able to do it?”

“
You’re only thirteen. By
the time you take the throne, you will know all you need to know.
It’s the reason you spend a good part of the day with your father,
watching and listening. And study other things children your age do
not.”

Davin repeated, “Children my age.” He
turned to Lorne. “Children?”

Lorne didn’t understand, but soon the
look in Davin’s eyes made more sense. He reached out and grasped
Davin’s shoulder. “The next few years will be hard. Growing up is a
rocky journey.”

“
It didn’t seem rocky for
you. You’re only two years older than me,” Davin said, his tone
petulant.

“
I had to grow up fast.
You know that. Mother was sick, and my father had another … woman.
He was rarely home, and when he was home he smoked anka root all
the time.” He loosened his grip. “And then I became your yabito. My
maturity made me stand out to your father. I took this
responsibility seriously and tried to never let you see any of my
struggles. I didn’t want to worry you.”

“
So, I’m a responsibility?
And I need to be shielded from serious things?” A deep frown marred
his face, and his eyes seemed to glisten in the low
light.

Making Davin turn to face him, Lorne
said, “Something is going on with you. What is this really
about?”

“
I just worry about the
future.”

“
Don’t. You’ll do well,
and I’ll be with you. Your counselor, your friend,
your—”

“
Lover?” Davin cut him
off, even though he said the word softly.

“
Of course.” Lorne put a
finger under Davin’s chin. “Does that trouble you?”

“
I want to be good enough
to earn your love.”

Lorne’s hand fell as the words hit
him. “My prince, you know I love you.”

“
I’m not talking about
that kind of love.”

“
I see. You’re becoming
curious.” Lorne had known this day would come soon, known that
Davin would have questions before long.

Davin looked away. “Not about that.”
He fidgeted a bit and glanced back. “Well, yes, about that, but
it’s not my primary concern.”

“
It’s all right to be
curious, but you’re still very young. It’s fine for you to sleep in
my bed, but other things … they’re for another time.” When Davin
didn’t speak, Lorne asked, “Is this why you were upset? You worry I
see you as a child?”

Davin nodded.

“
I don’t.”

Davin gazed up at the stars as they
came out, the sky growing darker. Lorne waited, accustomed to
Davin’s way of working through problems.

After a time, Davin said, “I know I’m
young, but I love you, Lorne.” He touched Lorne’s chest, just over
his heart, and he pulled Lorne’s hand to place over his. “I want
your love to be something I earn, not something I’m owed because of
who my parents were.”

Lorne’s heart pounded in his chest.
Before he could stop himself, he was rambling, “You don’t have to
say these things. You have years to decide. I’ll be by your side as
long as you want me, and I’ll always help you and protect you
and—”