Tributes

Chapter Fifty-seven

Jake and Tyreol sat opposite each other in one of the many sitting rooms in the castle. Neither of them spoke, words hard when faced with each other in decades. Tyreol waited for Jake to be ready to speak, able to tell his tribute had something to say, but was struggling to say it.

They'd moved from the servant corridor before they could disturb the inhabitants. Tyreol liked his servants to have a backbone, but most weren't brave enough to try to move past their God, even if he blocked the passage to their assignment. Tyreol held Jake's hand as he led them to the sitting room. Taking Jake to the tribute rooms would be a very bad idea. Jake wasn't here to reclaim his old role, nor to see the new tributes. He was here to see Tyreol. 

His hand tingled from the former contact, and joy bounced inside him at having Jake next to him again. It was a shame he didn't know how to reassure his wayward tribute that nothing bad was going to happen to him for coming home. 

Tyreol brushed his knee against Jake's as a soft comfort. Jake flinched away and blushed, pressing it back against him. Tyreol tried not to look at him directly. What happened to his stubborn, fierce tribute that he'd turned skittish? Jake was never one of his skittish ones; he was the one who had dived into situations without thinking, and somehow he'd roll out the other side unscathed. 

Losing his lover hurt Jake deeply. Tyreol still hated her to his core. 

She's left her mark. Fae bonded wore matching earrings to signify to others they were a couple. When one died, the other ring disappeared, leaving a scar on the widowed partner. As a long-lived race, fae died when they were killed. They often didn't know if their partner was in danger. The earring gave a level of reassurance that someone they cared about enough to bind with magic was safe when they ventured into the world. 

Jake tried to start a conversation, but the sound sherivled in his mouth. 

"I can go let Luke know you're here if you need a little more time?" Tyreol offered, trying to be kind. 

 "I should have come home," Jake said, words escaping the lock in his throat, red-faced and radiating in shame. His arms folded around him defensively. "I wanted to. I was stupid." 

"Don't say that. You lost someone dear to you. It's difficult to act rationally in that situation," Tyreol resisted the urge to reach out and pull Jake into his lap. Jake was not a child, nor asking for a hug. He was an adult. As much as Tyreol hated to admit it, he had to treat Jake like he did Fiear; his, but no longer his baby. "You're an intelligent man, don't judge yourself based on your lows."

"I don't feel intelligent. All the thoughts I had, how upset I was when you didn't come, and it was my fault. I just wanted to be safe again."

Tyerol caught Jake's hands before he could hurt himself and held one while he pulled Jake's chin to make him face Tyreol. Tyreol saw his tribute's conflicting feelings, but Jake couldn't see Tyreol's. The difference between those who saw the veil and those who did not.

"You are home now," Tyreol said firmly, kissing Jake's knuckles. Jake's brown eyes warmed with love and a touch of embarrassment. His little warrior wasn't accustomed to not being in control anymore. That wasn't too unusual for his boys when they returned. Tyreol gave his best gentle smile, keeping the space safe for Jake's emotions to unfold and for him to relax. "From what I understand, Fiear took good care of you. You were always safe."

"I can't stay long today. Soon, when I've sorted some more things out, but once Fiear told me what had happened with that promise, I had to come," Jake bowed his head. 

"You are always welcome no matter how short or long the stay," Tyreol reassured, disappointed, but he wasn't going to complain, as this was the first step toward getting Jake back. A short visit could lead to longer ones. "You are still mine."