Chapter 5: Sometimes, They Do Come True

“Please say something.” Shara said to her husband.

He was silent for several seconds before speaking. “Are you serious? This isn’t a jest?”

She nodded.

He looked at her for several long seconds, mouth slightly open, head cocked to one side, and eyes looking ... hurt? No, that wasn’t it? Distrustful? No, not quite that either. Mad? No; no he wasn’t mad exactly. Unsure? Yes, he certainly seemed to be that.

Lyra gaped with her eyes wide. Her mouth was hanging open and then she gave a sharp intake of breath. “Oh Illuminar, I kissed the princess.” She covered her mouth with her hand and Shara saw a grimace before she did.

“No-- well, yes.” She conceded. “But I’m still me.”

“Yes, but you’re the princess Uh, my lady.” The ash blonde replied formally and even a bit reverently. Her attempt at formal and respectful had lasted all of about five seconds before her spirited nature reasserted itself and she said with confused wonder. “How ... how the fuck are you a princess?”

Shara gave her an apologetic half-smile, then turned to Kalus. “Please say something.”

He didn’t speak for several long seconds.

“The day we met, you said you were ‘not so different’ from the princess.” Kalus finally said. “You were telling the truth; well, you were then.” Neither his eyes nor his tone bore any trace of accusation, yet she couldn’t help feeling accused.

Convicted.

Guilty.

She averted her eyes, not wanting to see the non-accusing look in her husband’s eyes. She expected an accusing look and she felt like she deserved it, yet she wasn’t getting it. That almost hurt worse. For a moment, she considered it strange that she felt this way when she’d outright told him that she wished him dead not many days ago.

But things had changed since then.

They had changed so much, and partially because of that she felt like the contents of a chamber pot. Worse than that.

Kalus scrutinized her for nearly a whole minute before speaking again. “Your father is King Bracken, your mother is Queen Hylea, and that’s why you are so loyal to your country.”

It wasn’t a question.

Shara nodded, never taking her eyes off the floor.

Lyra didn’t seem to know what to do with herself. She seemed completely at a loss as to how to behave with the revelation that her fellow wife was also the princess of the realm. Well, a conquered realm, but a princess nonetheless. Meanwhile, Kalus started pacing slowly in the small room with his hands clasped behind his back. Every so often, he would look at Shara and either frown, shake his head, or make a thoughtful sound.

Shara herself didn’t know what to do.

After a minute or two, Kalus finally stopped and looked at her. “You found yourself captured and so disguised yourself as a handmaiden so you wouldn’t fall into Tyso’s hands.”

Again, it wasn’t a question.

She nodded.

“You were afraid that if you revealed yourself, the consequences could be dire.” He said again, and Shara noticed that his volume was low. Easily heard by those in the room but not by those outside it.

She nodded again.

He slowly nodded as he looked at her.

“Please say something.” She whispered, almost pleading and hardly able to bear his silence any longer. Well, he hadn’t been silent, but she needed to know what he was thinking; how he felt about her with this revelation.

He narrowed his eyes for a moment, then made a thoughtful sound before he spoke. “I have said many times that I wished I had the opportunity to court you properly. I believe that’s no longer the case.”

Shara swallowed hard as she felt her heart sink to some below the floorboards underneath her.

“It’s no longer the case...” Kalus continued. “ ... because King Bracken would’ve never let a common soldier such as myself court you, and thus the way we married was probably the only way we could have married.”

The princess’s breath caught in her throat.

Did he mean...?

She chanced a glance up at him. He still looked stern and imposing as always and his expression displayed both worry and concern. However, it seemed like that worry and concern was directed at her and for her.

“I would never have imagined that Illuminar -- blessed be He -- would bless me of all men with a princess as a wife.” He continued. “But princess, handmaiden, or scullery maid -- whatever you are -- I’m glad to call you my wife.”

“You ... you’re not angry with me?” She managed to squeak out.

He replied with an even tone that somewhat contradicted his words. “Of course I am angry with you; what man wouldn’t be to discover his wife had been lying to him since the very moment they met?” He exhaled, and his shoulders relaxed a bit. “Yet I realize I have no right to be angry. You were forced into this marriage by another, and for your own protection you concealed your identity from those who you considered enemies, of whom I am one.”

“Were.” Shara said as she gave him a half-smile. “You were someone I considered an enemy.”

He smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”

Shara turned to Lyra. “Please don’t change how you treat me; I liked how we were before and I wouldn’t want that to change.”

“Okay.” The horsewoman nodded, then she got a sly grin and said in a teasing tone. “You’re highness.”

The princess rolled her eyes and then turned back towards their husband. “I’m sorry.”

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I forgive you, though I am not sure...” He frowned. “I see why you did what you did, being the princess of Timarou. I’m not sure an apology is required, but thank you for offering it and I will of course forgive you.”

“You ... You’re really not mad?” She asked.

“It will pass.” He replied heavily and then sat down on the bed next to her. “What will not pass is your condition.” He glanced at her womb. “Unless I’m mistaken, the future rightful ruler of Timarou is growing inside of you, assuming the baby is a boy.”

Shara nodded.

Lyra gasped. “That’s ... that’s actually kind of hot.”

They both looked at her.

“What?” She said defensively. “It’s an age-old story; the noble knight and the princess falling in love.”

“You forgot the spirited horsewoman who makes their family complete.” Shara said.

“Thank you Katia--” Lyra stopped. “I suppose I should stop calling you that.”

“No, keep calling her that.” Kalus said. “No one else can know.”

“Besides, I kind of like it.” Shara said. “It’s grown on me rather a lot.”

“Really?” The ash blonde raised her eyebrow. “It’s a common name and I’m not sure it’s suited to a princess.”

“Maybe not, but I like it.” She replied.

“Regardless, we must keep using it.” Kalus said. “King Tyso mustn’t find out who you are.”

“What would happen if he did?” Lyra asked with a grimace.

“He would have me executed, probably for treason saying that I knew and kept it from him.” He replied. “When he found out that Shar-- that Katia is pregnant he would make her take the herbs until she miscarried.”

Shara put her hands protectively over her womb.

“Then, once he has complete control of Timarou, he would almost certainly force Katia to marry him so their son would be considered the rightful heir.”

The princess shuddered.

Lyra made a face that wouldn’t have been out of place if someone had just put a load of manure under her nose.

“He can’t know.” The amber-haired girl said while clutching her womb. “He can’t.”

“And he won’t.” Kalus said, then scrutinized her. “The meeting yesterday with General Ardroben; did he recognize you?”

“I think so.” She nodded. “I also touched my womb and said that the princess’s health had changed for the better, so I hope he knows about our baby.”

“Let us hope so.” He frowned. “How many at the castle know your face?”

“Some, but certainly not all.” She replied. “I spent most of my teen years in the castle where you found me for my schooling.”

“Thank Illuminar for that.” He pursed his lips. “Still, I will have my men sweep the areas in front of us to ensure that as few as possible will see you.” He cocked his head to one side. “I will also have you closely guarded by Octavian’s men, so much so that they will block you from being seen as much as possible.”

Shara looked at him, a smile coming unbidden to her face and her throat got slightly tight. “You really care, don’t you?”

He nodded. “And even if I didn’t, I would still take care of you because you are my wife.”

She smiled at him, though she couldn’t hold his gaze for long and averted her eyes.

Several moments later, Lyra chuckled to herself.

“What?” Shara asked.

“I kissed a princess and I liked it.” She smiled, then went slightly red.

Shara looked at Kalus with a grimace. “Was that okay? I mean, that Lyra and I ... that we...”

He nodded. “Illuminar does not forbid it, and I must confess that I have seen few fairer sights in my life.”

“Really?” The princess asked.

He nodded. “But perhaps now is not the time to discuss that. We will have a trying day tomorrow and should get some sleep.” Lyra opened her mouth, but he continued before she spoke. “All of us, even if you would prefer a different activity in the bed.”

The horsewoman nodded, though she looked disappointed too.

“Come, we should go to bed.” He said, then probably for Lyra’s benefit added. “To sleep.”

The bed was only slightly wider than the bedroll they had been sleeping in. As usual, Lyra pulled her dress off and snuggled up to him naked. Shara herself felt conflicted. She almost wanted to do the same, but something about that felt so ... exposed. What if something happened and she needed to get up?

She laid down in the bed on Kalus’s left side as usual, not quite touching him but also not far away either. As usual, Lyra fell asleep pretty quickly. Shara didn’t however. She and her husband lay awake looking up at the ceiling for some time. She bit her lip and started to turn away as usual, but stopped herself.

“Lucien?” She whispered, still trying to get used to the idea that her husband’s first name wasn’t Kalus.

“Yes?” He whispered back.

“I truly am sorry.”

He turned his head to look at her, though she couldn’t make out his expression clearly in the semi-darkness. “I already forgave you. I would likely have done the same if I was you.”

“But?” She said, feeling like there was a ‘but’ coming.

“I...” Uncharacteristically for him, he trailed off without finishing his sentence.

“You?” She asked with bated breath.

“You have lied to me since the moment we met.” He whispered. “I don’t blame you and I understand, but that is hard to come to terms with.”

“Oh.” She said, then fell silent.

What could she say?

It was true.

She had lied to him from literally the moment that they had met. That hadn’t bothered her at the time considering the circumstances. But now ... Now she wished that she hadn’t. Although King Tyso might’ve forced her to wed him if she hadn’t and then...

She shuddered.

Okay, she was glad she had lied. Kalus had protected her from a worse forced marriage, from the king, and from so many other things. That first night he had taken care of her too. He’d done so much for her.

“Lucien.” She whispered several minutes later.

“Hmm.” He grunted, still very much awake.

“May...” She hesitated. “May I sleep closer? Um, closer to you I mean?”

He turned to look at her again and she thought she saw a smile on his face. It was hard to be sure in the darkness though.

“I would like that.” He replied.

His tone was happy.

She scooted closer so her right shoulder was up against his left arm. It felt awkward, but she liked it. He put his arm around her and pulled her a bit closer so she was leaning up against his torso.

She smiled.

“May...” She whispered hoarsely. “May I lean on you?”

In response, he pulled her to him so she was laying on her side with her front up against his side and her head naturally ended up using his chest for a pillow. There was something slightly possessive about the motion too, like he wanted her to know that he wanted her there.

She liked that.

“Will ... will we be okay?” She whispered several moments later.

“I don’t know how we will avoid Tyso’s wrath, but--” He stopped as she put her hand on his chest.

“No, I meant will we be okay.”

He didn’t answer for several seconds, and when he finally spoke his tone was ... soft. That was the only word she could think of for it. It was gentle, kind, and had a softness to it that made her smile.

“Katia...” He paused. “Shara, will you swear to Illuminar that you will never lie to me again?”

“Lucien ... husband; I swear on Illuminar Himself that I will never lie to you ever again.” She said, and she meant it with all her heart.

He took a deep breath, which raised her head slightly since she was using it for a pillow, and then slowly let it out. When he spoke, there was a smile in his tone. “I think we will be okay ... Shara.”

“You...” She hesitated. “You can call me ‘Katia’, I like how it sounds on your lips.”

“Then sweet dreams Katia.” She felt him move and then felt his lips press gently against the top of her head.

She sighed softly, then snuggled closer to him.

“Sweet dreams.” She replied, feeling the tiredness from the day wash over her. Now that she knew things were okay between herself and her husband, her mind finally let her rest. She relaxed completely into him, grateful that the revelation of her secret had gone as well as it had.

He was holding her, he cared about her, and he would take care of her no matter what. Those were the last thoughts on her mind before she drifted off to sleep.

Kalus lay awake longer than he would’ve preferred. His two wives were snuggled as a mirror image of each other on either side of him, and he thought that fitting considering their personalities. Katia-- no, Shara sighed softly in her sleep and then snuggled her head slightly closer.

He shook his head in disbelief.

A princess.

Who would’ve ever thought he would have a princess snuggled up to him like this? Especially one who was carrying his child. They had been legally married, so she was his wife according to all the laws of the Ten Kingdoms. He had no idea how her father would react to that if King Tyso gave him a chance.

He didn’t know how to react.

He had always planned to return home, find a nice girl, court her properly, ask her father for her hand, and then raise a family in quiet peace. With a princess as a wife, a quiet life didn’t seem possible anymore. Well, unless her identity remained concealed. That seemed unlikely, given that they were about to enter her father’s castle.

He lay there, trying to figure out a way that he, his wives, and his unborn child could survive the coming days. He couldn’t think of a plan, so he did the only thing he could do; he prayed to Illuminar for the safety of his family until he fell asleep.

Lyra woke before the sun and before her husband and fellow wife ... who was the princess of Timarou. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, still entirely unsure what to make of that information. Katia-- no, Shara was an actual princess.

A princess!

The ash blonde had no idea how to be a co-wife with a princess. Didn’t that mean that Shara had all the refinements of the court? All the education? Lyra’s own father had taught her to read, write, and basic maths, and she knew some of her country’s history of course, but that was it. How many languages did Ka-- Shara speak? How many things could she do that the horsewoman herself couldn’t?

It was times like this that the blonde desperately missed her mother. She would know what to do and help her with how to feel about this. She would be able to help with perspective on such things and help her figure out how to cope with having a princess as a co-wife.

On the other hand, Shara had been nice to her the entire time and she was sweet, if a bit reserved. Still, Lyra was having trouble figuring out how she -- a lowly rancher’s daughter -- could ever possibly measure up to a real princess. She couldn’t even control her desire to bed her husband for Illuminar’s sake! Unbidden, the idea of her bedding her fellow wife came to mind and she had to try to push the idea out of her head.

It wasn’t easy.

Shara’s lips were so soft and kissing her had been wonderful. She wanted to try a lot more than kissing, and also kissing in other places if Kalus would allow it. She thought he might, but was pretty sure that someone as refined as a princess would have no interest in such things.

“Lyra.”

She looked up to see her husband looking at her.

“You seem rather tense.” He whispered, probably because Katia-- no, Shara was still asleep.

“She’s a princess!” She whispered. “How do I compete with a princess?!”

“Why do you have to compete?”

She blinked.

“The infantry and cavalry are very different than each other.” He continued. “Some might even say one is more powerful than the other. Yet neither can do everything by itself and they work best when they cooperate.”

She stared at him for a long moment. “But, won’t you compare us? Even if you don’t mean to?”

“Of course.” He whispered like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I compare infantry and cavalry too, but I also recognize that both have their strengths and weaknesses and neither is better than the other. Each has an edge in one role or another, but neither is better or worse at everything; they are just different.”

She nodded slowly, then bit her lip.

“What?” He asked.

“I...” She hesitated, then spoke quietly. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“But?” He prompted.

“But she’s a princess and I’m just--” She began, but he interrupted.

“A thoroughly delightful woman and a wonderful wife.” He said, and judging by his eyes he looked sincere. “In a comparison with Kat-- with Shara, you wouldn’t suffer.”

“Really?” She asked.

“Really.” He nodded. “Neither would she; I can appreciate each of you for who you are, and you are different from each other. Could you not appreciate two horses for their own strengths, different though they may be?”

“I could.” She nodded, then snuggled closer to him. “I’m glad you see it that way.”

He kissed the top of her head, which made her heart melt and her loins itch. She wiggled her hips against him, making sure her nether lips were pressed against his thigh.

“Shara is still sleeping.” He whispered, but didn’t stop her.

“Mmm.” She rubbed a little harder, and could already feel herself getting wet. “Mmm hmm.”

“Mmm?” Shara stirred, then lifted her head and blinked.

“Eww.” Lyra screwed up her face as her fellow wife’s morning breath hit her.

Kalus chuckled.

“What?” Shara asked, then yawned.

“Your breath.” The ash blonde replied, her rubbing nearly forgotten as she turned her face away.

“It can’t be that ba--” Shara stopped after she had exhaled into her hand and sniffed. “Oh, sorry. Perhaps it was that rock candy? My breath suffers when I eat too much sugar.”

Kalus chuckled again. “I’ve smelled worse. Come, we should get ready for the day.”

Shara nodded, then asked. “Does anyone know where I could get some mint leaves?”

For some reason, the fact that Shara had morning breath even though she was a princess put Lyra’s heart at ease. It was a small thing, but it helped. Maybe she was a normal girl after all. A very nice, and kind normal girl who happened to be a princess, but a normal girl.

Kalus rode Tornado towards the king’s entourage, arriving just as the first rays of light fell upon the conquered city. Behind him, Katia-- no, Shara and Lyra, were both riding their own horses. His wives were guarded by Octavian and a half dozen of his best men, and he was grateful for that; for Shara’s sake if nothing else. He was having trouble thinking of his first wife as anything other than ‘Katia’, and he supposed that was a good thing for now.

“Kalus, you made it.” King Tyso said as he glanced at the sunrise. “And on time too.”

He sounded disappointed.

“And you brought the wenches that I set you up with.” The king continued looking past him. He then ‘lowered’ his voice and ‘whispered’. “I hope they are at least decent lays.”

“I have no complaints about either of them your majesty.” He gave the king a head bow, then glanced towards to gate in front of them.

King Tyso had assembled all of his commanders at the gatehouse that led to the field which separated King Bracken’s castle from the inner wall of Laerten. Behind him was the entirety of the king’s guard -- all two dozen of them -- plus nearly a thousand soldiers. None looked like they were from his own legion.

“Is there a plan sire?” Kalus asked.

“There would be if you’d captured that bitch of a princess Shara as I asked.” He scowled in return. “I’m pretty sure threatening to take her virgin cunt in front of his castle would’ve done the trick.”

The commander restrained himself from reacting with difficulty. “And now?”

“Well since you failed me in such an easy task, I’ll have to think of something else.” The king regarded Kalus with disdain. “Come, grab the white flag and we shall dictate terms.”

“Aye sire.” Kalus took the white flag, not minding the slight as much as he perhaps should have.

The king turned his horse, then glanced back. “Oh, and have your wives accompany us; their guards will not be necessary.”

Kalus resisted the urge to disagree and turned towards Octavian. “You are released.”

Octavian had his fist clenched and his jaw looked capable of crushing steel if one could fit some through his clenched teeth. Kalus gave him his ‘stern commander’ look and the man bristled, but nodded.

“Ladies.” Octavian gave them a respectful head bow, then led his men a short distance away.

With that, King Tyso started trotting his horse down the cobblestone road that led towards the castle. Kalus chanced a glance at his wives, and unsurprisingly saw flickers of fear in their eyes. He wished he could comfort them, but they were right to fear.

He didn’t like that.

The ride to the castle gates took barely a minute. The wall was at least twenty feet high and crenellations lined the top. He could see archers on top of the wall, but they respected the white flag and didn’t fire.

“Let me speak to your king.” Tyso barked without preamble when they’d closed to within a dozen yards.

“Who requests the honor of his conversation?” Someone he couldn’t see replied from the wall.

“The man who’s conquered the entire fucking country.” Tyso growled in return.

“I shall inform him.” The voice replied.

Tyso pointed his hand towards the sun. “And tell him that every finger he makes me wait will cost a dozen townsmen their lives.”

Kalus bristled.

It was an old method of telling time near dawn and sunset. If a man fully extended his arm towards the sun, the sun would move about a finger’s distance in fifteen minutes. It became less accurate further from sunrise and sunset, but it was enough to get his point across.

Kalus checked his own hand against the horizon and then waited.

The sun had nearly traversed almost an entire finger when an older man appeared at the wall’s crenulations wearing a thin golden crown. He looked to be at least fifty, and sixty was probably closer to the mark. He also looked tired. Kalus had known that King Bracken was getting up in years and that the queen was significantly younger, but he hadn’t realized how old he was.

“You called, Tyso.” King Bracken’s voice was strong and confident, but it had a slight waver to it too.

That didn’t bode well.

“Open the doors old man.”

“Your soldiers have a certain reputation, and the women who live here would prefer to--”

“I don’t give a shit what they would prefer.” Tyso replied. “You can either open the doors now, or I’ll start beheading townsfolk; a dozen every hour until the doors open. While we do that my men will build a battering ram to breach the door ourselves. And should you wait, there will be a lot of... ‘breaching’ when my men come in.”

King Bracken paled.

“Open it up old man.” Tyso barked.

“Will ... will you promise safety for those of my castle if we surrender?”

“No.” Tyso shook his head. “But I will promise no mercy if you make me wait any longer.”

Even from as far away as he was, Kalus could see King Bracken swallow hard and take a half step back.

“I will give you ten seconds.” Tyso said.

“But the rules of war are--” King Bracken began, but Tyso interrupted him.

“Eight seconds.”

King Bracken put a hand on the crenellations, probably to steady himself.

“Five seconds.” Tyso continued.

“Four.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

“Open the gate!” King Bracken said, then closed his eyes and slowly shook his head.

“Wonderful.” King Tyso said. “Prepare a reception in your throne room for ... let’s say noon. You will surrender your crown personally.” He turned to leave but stopped and looked back. “Oh, and tell your men not to interfere with mine; the consequences would be...” He paused, probably for effect. “Unpleasant.”

If possible, the king turned even paler.

“Come Kalus.” Tyso said much as you might address a servant. “We’ll let the men do the brunt of the work and return at our leisure.” The king waved towards the thousand or so men that had been waiting at the gate, and they started marching forward.

Kalus prevented himself from curling his lip in distaste at how they marched forward. His own legion wouldn’t be caught dead being that sloppy while in formation.

“What of the people sire?” Kalus asked King Tyso

“I’ve told them to hold their appetites until this evening’s celebration.” He shrugged. “Can’t interfere with the palace guards surrendering, which could delay my fun.” His eye glimmered, and not in a good way. Kalus had never met a dragon before, but he imagined that the look in Tyso’s eye would be similar to a dragon who had caught the scent of some gold.

That didn’t bode well.

“Are you okay?”

Shara slowly shook her head at her fellow wife’s question. She wanted to shout ‘I’m not okay!’ at the top of her lungs, but resisted. Instead, she glanced into the ash blonde’s eyes and let the hurt she was feeling show.

Lyra’s face fell. “I’m sorry.”

They were some distance away from everyone else, with only Octavian’s guards around them since they were no longer with the king. They were currently sitting in an abandoned and ransacked restaurant that looked like it had once been incredibly nice. In fact, she vaguely remembered seeing it as her carriage had driven past before, and it had been fine enough for lords and ladies to dine there.

Now...

Now it was ransacked and in shambles; a perfect example of what King Tyso did to everything.

“King Bracken looked ... not well.” Lyra whispered delicately.

“He’s...” Shara swallowed hard. “The king um ... he was already middle-aged when he married my ... the current queen.”

“After the first queen died.” The ash blonde nodded. “They said pretty awful things about her not being able to give him children.”

“They said those same things about my-- about King Bracken after he remarried.” Shara hung her head. “Queen Hylea comes from a family famous for bearing large numbers of children. When she only had me, and only after several years...”

“I’m sorry.” The horsewoman sat next to her on one of the few intact pieces of furniture that was left in the restaurant.

“He looked so tired.” Shara hung her head. “I know he’s not the greatest king ever, but he really is a good man.”

“I can believe that.”

“And I know that he and the queen had an arranged marriage because of her family’s fertility, but they really do love each other, despite...”

“Despite...” Lyra prompted.

“He was around forty when they married and she was my age.” The princess did manage a small smile. “She’s not yet forty, but you’d think she wasn’t yet thirty if you saw her.” She grimaced. “You know what Tyso is like, what if he ... She’s really beautiful and ... and...”

Shara swallowed hard.

“And what of King Bracken? King Tyso might ... might actually...” She couldn’t bring herself to say it. Tyso wasn’t known for mercy and her father had made his life difficult during the long war. What if ... if...

“Hey, it’ll be okay.” Lyra put her arms around the princess as the latter tried not to start crying. For the first time, Shara realized what terrible danger her parents were in. In the back of her mind, she knew that she would be too if Tyso discovered her, but she couldn’t get her father’s ashen face out of her mind.

She wanted Kalus.

Not the way Lyra constantly did, but she wanted him close right now. She wanted him to hold her. He was so strong and good, and she needed that right now; she needed someone strong to lean on. Sadly, the King had taken him away for various menial duties almost the entire morning. It would’ve been humiliating for any other commander, but he bore it well.