Curse of Blades (Blades #1)

Chapter 11

[Note: This was originally included in Curse of Blades: Book 2, but as of July 28th, 2021, I began combining the 3 Curse of Blades books into a single one.]

Wildas knew he wasn't offering Coulta much better than what he'd had in Arren, but at least there wouldn't be any killing involved. Not of innocents – though Wildas hoped there would be no killing at all.

"Once Myri lets me off bed rest I'll be back to my normal life," he explained to break what felt to him like awkward silence. "That means I'll be fairly busy until the midday meal. I usually have breakfast with my family, then attend my father's meetings with his advisers. Unless it's one of the few days where I sit with my father when he hears petitions, I will be free to do whatever I wish in the afternoons. That's when I'll need you. I like to leave the castle and go for rides outside the city or visit the city on market days. If the weather is bad, I spend time with my siblings or visit the library. I do spend some afternoons with Shelton. I also spar with Rohan or my mother in the training arenas. No other soldiers or officers will practice with me. I may need you in the evenings, but not always. We'll find something for you to do when you're not with me. What do you like to do? Or, what would you like to do?"

Coulta shrugged and watched the closest fire thoughtfully. "I would like to practice my combat skills. And my magic. There is a lot I've never tried to do with it and I want to know my limits." He paused before adding, "And Varin was determined to keep me rather uneducated. I know very little about the real traditions of Phelin, and I feel that I should know more if I'm to serve you. So I'd like to learn more. About tradition and politics if I can."

Of course Coulta would want to understand his surroundings in his new home. And he would need to know where threats may come from if he was to protect Wildas. "Do you have any specific questions?"

Coulta hesitated a moment before asking, "Are there two kings? Is there no queen?"

Wildas couldn't stop himself from laughing, but when he saw the way Coulta ducked his head as if he felt ashamed, the amusement disappeared. "That was rude of me, I'm sorry," he said, trying to mend the situation. "There are two kings and two queens. All four are married to each other. It's probably strange to someone from a place where all relationships are forbidden, I'm sure. My parents are Grand King Deandre, Second King Shelton, and Queen Yvona. My other mother, Queen Xiao, died three winters ago. The Second King is usually chosen as someone who can be the Grand King's most trusted adviser. He is usually a military leader or sorcerer – Shelton is the most powerful sorcerer alive in the world. There is always a sorcerer in the court, so he's often chosen as the Second King for convenience. Some queens are also sorceresses or military leaders. Queen Yvona was an officer in the Royal Guard before she was married. The whole structure is supposed to be strategic, but sometimes there is love involved. I'm fairly certain all of my parents care very much for each other, anyway."

"They're all your parents?" Coulta asked, looking a little skeptical as he gazed at Wildas. For the first time, Wildas truly looked at the other man's eyes and was surprised to realize that the odd coloration hadn't been a trick of dim lighting or Wildas's pain-filled hallucinations as he'd assumed. His eyes truly were a deep gray, almost black, and flecked with shining silver throughout.

He forced himself to tear his gaze away from those fascinating eyes and explained, "Well, one of the queens obviously gave birth to me, but I've never truly wondered which one. I have always known them both as 'Mother'. It's different with the kings, because the Second King can't have children, as dictated by tradition. Otherwise, there would be too much possible conflict for the throne. I was told he has to take some sort of herbal tea that causes temporary infertility. I have only ever called the Grand King 'Father' and it's the same with my closest siblings. The younger siblings have known both him and Shelton as 'Father'."