Page 136 of Faeling
I wish to parley, leader to leader,Callistix announced.
Swallowing hard, Vallek nodded. “Of course.”
Since we will be staying close to our darling girl, I want protections for us. I know our kinds haven’t always gotten along, but unicorns can be the bigger animal.Shaking out her mane, she added,I won’t stab you if you don’t stab me. Or make her cry.
Vallek considered her words carefully. “It will take time to overcome the centuries of enmity, but I can promise an edict securing your herd’s safety. May it lead to peace between our kinds.”
That will do. As a sign of our new friendship, I will accept three crates of sugar cubes each fortnight.
Ravenna nearly choked on her laugh. “Three,grandmare?”
You’re right, that’s a pittance. Four then.
Vallek cleared his throat, again unsure whether to laugh or weep. “I believe that can be arranged.”
You believe? You’re a powerful king, are you not? Or has my darling grand-foal spoken too highly of you?
For the first time ever to Ravenna’s knowledge, Vallek flushed.
“I will see to it myself,” he wisely amended.
Very good. In exchange, I promise we won’t besiege your fine city. At least when it isn’t mating season. I can’t make anypromises for mating season. You know how young ones get when the blood runs hot.
Vallek attempted to smile, but it was the stiffest, most uncomfortable expression she’d ever seen him wear. Ravenna had to hide her snorts of laughter behind her hand.
“We’re agreed,” he forced himself to say.
Excellent. Now, then, Crow, tell me your plan again and how many stallions I should send north.
“North?” asked Ravenna.
Yes. I will send a few ahead, to seek out news and spread the word amongst the herds. Perhaps we’ll have a bit of luck and discover the whereabouts of Bellarand the Black.Flicking her tail across her flanks, Callistix said,There is little love amongst the herds for Amaranthe. When she falls, we’ll be ready.
Vallek wanted to let himself ride the current of normalcy that overtook their lives. With their plans laid and messengers sent, there was nothing else to do but get on with the business of everyday existence. He trained with his men in the mornings, took luncheon with his mate before attending meetings together all afternoon, then spent quiet evenings with her and sometimeshis sisters.
It was all a pleasant lull, a glimpse at what life could truly be like.
Vallek relished it. Exerting himself in the training pits brought satisfaction, but so too did seeing all the political maneuvers he and Eydis had worked over a decade toward coming to fruition. One by one, all the chieftains sent their congratulations on his mating and confirmed they would attend the wedding. Even irascible Hrothgar sent a two-line note.
Ravenna dedicated herself to talks with the eastern tribes, and slowly, over days of negotiating and building a rapport, she was making progress. Vallek could have strode into the room and made his demands, yes, but Ravenna’s slower, more diplomatic approach would lead to a stronger construction in the end. The eastern representatives respected that she too was an outsider to Balmirra and understood what it was to live an isolated life. Vallek had no doubt a ratified agreement would be ready for his signature soon, allowing him to start building up defenses in the east.
Every day, Vallek ruled alongside his magnificent mate, and every day, he grew even prouder of her. Day by day, she was winning over the people with her patience and good humor. He’d even begun to suspect they liked that she was a little strange and looked forward to what off-hand thing she’d do or say next.
Every night, he slept with his mate in his arms after long bouts of lovemaking. They fell together into sleep with bodies spent from pleasure, whispering sweet nothings across the pillows. In those nights, he memorized the texture of her hair and the hundreds of hues in her eyes. Everything was precious to him, and he gorged on every little detail that made up Ravenna.
There were times it felt too good—that it couldn’t be so true to the legends and stories about perfectly suited mates. Even with their disagreements, Vallek went to sleep each night a hair happier than he had the night before, then woke every day the happiest he’d ever been.
Even so, it wasn’t a surprise when all of it proved to be an illusion. They had existed on borrowed peace, for messengers eventually returned with news.
Vallek almost wished he could send them away again.
But it was far too late for that.
Gathered in the small council chamber, he, Ravenna, and Eydis met with the three messengers sent to the border with the proposal for Amaranthe.
He didn’t need the sealed parchment, nor the emissary’s message, to know that this pleasant little life he and his mate were building now had to end. Or at least, sacrificed for a time.
Eydis broke the seal, eyes quickly passing over the missive.
