Chapter 26

North sat a long time under the tree’s shade, waiting for the cottage door to open. The longer he waited, the more worried he became. No matter how he tried to imagine the conversation, he could think of nothing that would keep the two of them talking for so long. The gods knew he was not so complicated that his bride would need a thick instruction codex.

The market had been a welcome success. Not only did they have the famous underwear, they also had wool socks that magically stayed up above the ankle. Kings and queens could parade about in their fine robes, but he was waltzing through the hallways in hidden comfort. His mother and his father would both be proud.

He scratched his unshaved whiskers as he reviewed his past years, wondering what would happen next. The pimply, failed apprentice became a successful soldier under the tutelage of a mage lord. The first step would sound unbelievable except for the daily carnage and the untimely death of his tutor. North was proud that he had so many hands upon his back pushing him forward, and prouder still that he had been able to push and pull them as well.

Then came the lost years, where his mind was in shambles, but the body parts worked. Bit by bit, he pieced himself back together, expecting his new quiet life to continue. Then the Court of the Crimson King reached forth with its might, pulling him right back into its world. Almost without question, he had danced to the tune of the purple piper, and dance he did as lords, ladies and liege commanded.

‘Who else has met three gods, much less lived to tell the tale?’ he thought. The last meeting was harrowing, but the god got the job done. North had not thought through how to get himself and the Egg through a gateway that would have probably killed him. He had run pell-mell as the circumstances dictated.

His beloved was in conference with a bona fide seer at this moment. Now, he was afraid.

Finally, the door opened and Gartin slipped out faster and smoother than an old woman should be able to move. She crooked her finger at him and motioned him to come forward. As he got up with his packages, she disappeared down the row, going around the corner.

With an edge of trepidation, North stepped inside the room. Paquin was wearing a huge smile and not much else. She was holding her dress, which she promptly threw in his face. Then she giggled and North melted.

“We have the room for the night and we’re not to waste it,” she declared.

North was about to ask a question about her parents and her Queen, but he bit back the words in time. He was the Jack of Spades, after all, and the hero of the completed mission was due his rest and reward. Dropping his packages and tossing her dress in the corner, he swept her up in his arms.

For her part, she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, before sucking all sense out of his thoughts with a searing kiss. When she relented, she planted her feet back on the ground. Still holding him close around the neck, she whispered in his ear, “Someone is far overdressed.” She giggled again and the chills ran up North’s spine, causing him to shudder.

He undid his britches, doing his best to push them down without breaking contact. ‘To hell with that,’ he thought to himself. He picked her up and deposited her on the bed. Then he stripped himself before climbing onto the mattress. His face was lit with the same naughty smile she had; he could feel it through every limb in his body.

He began with her ear. He nibbled it, getting the reaction he wanted as she pressed her shoulder against him. He moved to her jawline and then caressed the side of her neck with his lips.