Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The next morning, Tary sat at a table in the resort’s breakfast buffet, staring off into space with a goofy smile on his face. Refreshed from a lovely evening in a different suite (after having kicked her brother’s arse), Vex’ahlia and Trinket joined him. She’d left Percy in the room. Their morning shower had distracted him in all the wrong ways. Percy had needed to know just how the resort’s plumbing had been engineered to allow for a steady fall of water from the ceiling of the bathroom. And even after his curiosity had been satisfied, her husband had insisted on fussing over which clothes to wear, and he hadn’t even started his hair or his makeup yet, so Vex had lost patience with him. He did take longer to get ready than she ever had. 

Speaking of men who took a ridiculous amount of time to get ready in the morning. Vex’ahlia slid into the seat across the table, waving her hand in front of Tary’s face. “Sending a message to whatever plane you’re on. Come in, Tary.” 

“Oh!” He blinked several times, finally seeing her. “Hey, best friend. How are you this morning?” 

“Well, I was a little worried when you didn’t come back to your room last night,” Vex said. “After dinner, I came by so that you could brush my hair before bed. But I didn’t even see Doty. What happened?” 

The same goofy smile came over his face. “Oh. Nothing much, really. I just met someone.” 

“What!?” Vex’ahlia was both outraged and delighted. “Well, don’t just sit there! I want to hear all about it.” She signaled for the waiter and ordered them both champagne juices. 

“Hmm.” Tary stroked his moustache, enjoying drawing this out, reveling in being the center of attention. “Where should I start? Doty, review my notes.” 

The automaton obediently removed the book and began reviewing the last few pages of writing. “Tary. Tary, Tary. Tary Tary Tary Tary.” 

Vex sipped her drink, amused. By Tary’s own confession, he couldn’t understand the meaning of what Doty was saying, he just liked to hear his name said out loud. When he put on little performances like this, she had to shake her head. 

“Yes, that’s it,” Tary told Doty. “Very true.” 

“Why don’t you start at the beginning, dear?” Vex’ahlia suggested. 

“Oh, Vex.” Tary sighed. “I’m in love.” He rested his chin on his fist, and she suddenly understood where the phrase “starry-eyed” came from. 

“I’m so happy for you, dear. And frankly, you deserve it. You’ve gone so long without someone special. Good for you.” 

Tary sat back, clearing his throat. “Of course, I’ll have to let him down gently once our vacation is over.” 

“Really?” she asked. “Why wouldn’t you want to pursue it further, if it seems like things are going well?” 

“Well, he’s clearly smitten with me,” Tary said, gesturing for Doty to remove the napkin from the table and tie it around his neck. “I’d hate for him to think this is more than a little summer fling.” 

“At Winter’s Crest?” She sat back as waiters brought them an assortment of foods from the buffet. 

“Sweet Vex’ahlia,” Tary smiled. “I forget you’re not a scientist, because you are the cleverest woman I’ve ever met. It is summer here in Marquet. The seasons are switched in the north and south.” 

Vex didn’t appreciate being patronized at the best of times, but Tary was one of her closest friends now. So she made the conscious decision not to thrash him. “Trinket, why don’t you go see if Tary has anything on his plate that he doesn’t like?” The bear lumbered over and swept the plate away from Tary, dumping its contents into his mouth. 

“Oh!” Tary sat back, having to work not to get crumbs or food stains on his new outfit as Trinket decimated his breakfast. “Poor old bear, you must be starving! Waiter!” he began to shout. “Waiter! A large bowl of food for our bear-ish companion, please!” He turned back to Vex’ahlia. “Service at these places can be so remiss at times, I find.” 

And just like that, Vex was in a good mood again. “Alright, before you go breaking up with him, at least tell me about this mystery man!” 

Tary sighed, and his eyes got that far-off look as he quickly got lost in reverie. “Oh, he’s the most beautiful drow I’ve ever seen.” 

“A drow? Really?” A beach resort was the last place Vex’ahlia would have expected to see anyone from the Underdark.

“Well, to be honest, I didn’t ask his race. My mother raised me better than that,” Tary said, straightening his shoulders in that pompous way he always did when referring to his class. “But his skin is like the most luscious chocolate, and his eyes are a kind of gold that glows comfortingly in the dark, like fireflies.”   

“That certainly does sound like drowish features,” she said. “He had pointed ears, I suppose. And white hair?” 

“Oh no, his hair is like the silky essence of the night sky itself, long ebony strands that are twisted into that coiled style so many people here seem to wear.” 

Now Vex was confused. “You mean the texture of his hair is that--not like ours. It’s that coarse texture like…” She pointed out one of the wait staff who had the more wiry sort of hair. 

Tary’s brow creased as he considered it. “I suppose. I’ve never really thought of hair texture before. Anyone can have that sort of hairstyle, can’t they? Pike came back with some very interesting Marquesian braids yesterday.”

Vex’ahlia wasn’t sure this was the time or place to explain hair textures to Tary. She was about to change the subject when he spoke again.

“And it wasn’t coarse,” Tary went on. “It was sooo soft. I touched it.” He sighed, starting to get lost again. “He was so gorgeous. And he wore so many jewels. I can’t even fathom how wealthy he must be...”

Now Vex thought she understood a little better. “Oh, I see. You found yourself a little vacation sugar daddy.”

“He was so daddy,” Tary said. “You’re not wrong there.” He cleared his throat, trying to rein in his fanboying. “Unfortunately, I’ll have to break his heart when it’s time for us to leave.”

“Tary.” Vex smiled, reaching across the table to pat his hand. “Just enjoy it while we’re here. Don’t think about eight days from now. Think of today! You found someone you really like. I’m happy for you, dear.” 

Tary’s smile widened. “Thanks, best friend. I knew I could count on you to share my joy. But let’s not tell Percy. I wouldn’t want him to think I’d found someone I like better. He has such a fragile ego under that stiff upper lip, you know.” 

“Of course, of course.” Vex kept her amusement to herself. “You never mentioned his name, by the way. Was this an anonymous torrid romance, or did you actually get to know one another?” 

“His name is Shaun.” Tary sighed, wistful, as that same smile came over his features. “And I can’t wait to see him again tonight.” 

Alarm bells went off in the back of Vex’ahlia’s brain. “Er, just curious, darling.” The pieces of a disturbing puzzle began to come together in her head. “This Shaun of yours, he didn’t happen to wear a beard that was artfully twisted or braided up with gems?” 

Tary sat back in surprise. “How did you know? Wait, don’t tell me. Is he the prince or something? I tried to get him to confess to being nobility, but he was very cagey about his true identity.” 

She tried to tell herself it was a coincidence, but how often did coincidences truly happen in the lives of Vox Machina? “Are you sure you described everything about him? Was there any detail you left out?” 

“Oh, I can do you one better!” Tary said. “Doty, show Vex the drawings you made of our date last night.” 

In many ways, Vex’ahlia didn’t want to know what the two men had gotten up to. But it wasn’t as if Tary didn’t share every intimate detail of his entire life with her, regardless of whether she wanted to know or not. So she steeled herself, and waited as the automaton flipped to the right page and clanked its way over to hold the book open so that she could see. 

Motherbitch. 

Doty’s drawings were so true to life. She could see the eye color was wrong, as were the pointed ears, but Doty had managed to capture Gilmore’s whole body language in the few sketches: his trademark dazzling smile, the way he spread his arms when telling a story. There was no doubt in her mind. But now Vex had more questions than answers. 

“Well, he seems...dashing,” she said, suddenly short of breath from the shock of it. What did this mean? Had Gilmore followed them here? Was he trying to exact some sort of jilted lover’s revenge on Vax for choosing Keyleth over him? Or did he truly have an interest in Tary?

“Dashing is a good word,” Tary said. “Doty, write this down: the tall, dark and handsome Marquesian was downright dashing, his charisma painting him more glorious than any bard.” 

“Glorious is a good word,” Vex’ahlia said, weakly, feeling her heart sink further. 

“Why thank you! If I recall, he used it more than once last night.”

“Tary. You didn’t!” The dissonant emotions inside her were tearing Vex to bits. She so wanted to be happy for Tary, having found a little fun and romance on their vacation, but she was absolutely sickened by the thought of her brother’s ex sleeping with her best friend.

“Well, I’m not one to kiss and tell,” Tary said, looking very proud of himself. “But when I walked him back to his palace by the sea, he did make me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” 

Vex blinked. “You mean...that fortress down the beach? That’s where he’s been staying?” 

Tary got that look that said he was pleased to have been found out, because he’d been wanting to brag so badly. “I wasn’t going to mention it, but…yes. I think it’s probably even more ancient than Whitestone castle.”

“Perhaps the two of us should go pay him a visit this afternoon,” Vex’ahlia suggested. “Do you think he would give me the grand tour?” 

Tary began backpedaling madly. “Well, I wouldn’t want to bother him this early...The Rules say ‘don’t call him.’ Are you sure it wouldn’t make me look desperate to show up so soon after we...you know.” 

She pretended to think about it. “Perhaps you’re right. But I do hope you can introduce us at some point. He sounds fabulous.” 

“Another good word!” Tary said. “Doty, take that down. Shaun the Fabulous.” 

“And, dear, just for now,” Vex said, leaning forward to lower her voice conspiratorially. “Why don’t we keep this between the two of us. As you said, I’d hate for Percy to think he was no longer your favourite.” 

“Oh, definitely.” Tary nodded. “I think knowing could only hurt him. But for the record, I will never love another man the way I love Percival--I mean as a friend,” Tary added, hurriedly. 

“Of course.” Why was her glass empty already?

“Just to be clear.” He laughed nervously. 

“Of course, dear. I do know you would never try to take Percy away from me.”

“You say that like I could if I wanted to,” Tary said, smiling fondly. “I just want to know what it’s like to have someone who loves me as much as Percy loves you.”

Tary could really be so sweet when he wanted to be. “You will one day, dear. I’m sure of it.” 

There was a pause as the waiters brought them a pitcher of champagne juice. Tary looked deep in thought. “Do you really think Shaun and I…?” 

“You know, on second thought, you’re probably right? Better to let him down easy than draw things out,” Vex’ahlia said, refilling his glass. “But there’s nothing wrong with a summer fling. I think it could be good for you.” But she regretted it, even as she said it. Vex needed to find out just what Gilmore was up to, before Tary got hurt.

Chapter Text

Over the last year, it had fallen to Vex, as Tary’s closest friend, to protect him from his own naivete. In spite of being the consummate braggadocio, he was very naive to the ways of the world, and needed looking after in a way Doty was not capable of. A vamp like Gilmore could chew him up and spit him out again. And he had a score to settle with Vox Machina. After their last interaction, Vex wouldn’t put it past Gilmore to do something like this for revenge. The sooner she knew what was going on, the better.

The trouble was, she had to find a way to contact Gilmore without letting Percy or her twin know he was here. She trusted Tary to be discreet for at least a few hours, but Vax was the one she really worried about. Better for him not to know his ex was here at all, much less that he’d seduced their newest party member. Vax had never liked Tary, and though he’d grown to find Tary somewhat amusing over time, she knew it would be a blow to his self-esteem to know Gilmore had pursued Tary after dumping Vax in his time of need. No, she needed to be careful about this. She needed to be smart. She would need to use both her assassin training and ranger’s skill to do this right.

“What’s the matter, dear?” Percy asked. “You look preoccupied.”

“It’s nothing,” Vex lied. “Still a bit tree-lagged, I think. Would you like to take a hike today, see how different the native fauna is?” 

“Actually, that sounds like something Keyleth would enjoy,” Percy said, and for a moment, Vex thought he was going to say no. “Shall we all go together? --or are we still upset with them for yesterday?”

Vex’ahlia thought about it. She could never stay angry at Vax, but he was really too old to keep pulling these kinds of pranks. As the matter had been resolved last night, it seemed she and Percy were both ready to enjoy their vacation with Keyleth and Vax again. The trouble was, Vex had asked Percy to come along so that she could do some reconnaissance on Gilmore’s location, which she could do if it were just the two of them. But if her twin was there, Vax would know something was up. 

“No, we’re clearly not, but.” She touched his elbow. “Perhaps just the two of us could go, for now. I like dragging you kicking and screaming out into nature now and then, just the two of us.” 

“And you know I only do it for you,” Percy said, fondly. 

And so it was afternoon found them traversing the sand dunes a mile from the resort. Percy was using his scope to do a bit of bird watching--apparently there was a remarkable number of specimens he had never seen nesting in the cliffs overlooking the ocean. And while he did that, Vex watched the keep in the distance. 

Now they were closer, she could see a number of guards patrolling the grounds. More than she would have thought. Well, if it hadn’t been clear before, it certainly was clear now that Gilmore was back with J’mon Sa Ord. She wondered if the emperor themself was here. And what did that say about Gilmore’s seduction of Tary? Was he using Tary to make the emperor jealous? This seemed to be a dangerous game all around. 

While Percival chattered about and made sketches of the birds he was seeing, Vex watched the guards’ movements and noted how their shift changes worked. It shouldn’t be too hard to slip past them and have a talk with Gilmore tonight, if he did not show himself at the resort later. 

Of course, the easiest way to speak with him would have been to use the magic parchment Gilmore had given her. Too bad it was back in Whitestone, carefully tucked away in one of Vex’s secret hiding places. After what had happened, and how upset it had made Vax to hear of it, she’d been tempted to burn the parchment on principle. If Gilmore was done with them, then they were done with him, too. But in the end, Vex’ahlia couldn’t bring herself to destroy something so potentially valuable. 

Even if Gilmore was a dragon who was not their friend anymore, even though he’d hurt Vax by breaking up with him when Vax was dead, there might come a time when asking Gilmore for help was their only option. And even a chance such a powerful being would help them in a crisis was worth keeping the paper. But she did not keep it close. That was the concession Vex’ahlia had made to keeping it.

So writing Gilmore was out of the question. Vex’ahlia supposed she could send a messenger to the keep with a letter. But Gilmore might choose not to respond. And considering he currently held Tary’s heart in his hands, she didn’t want to risk that. If there was a time for face to face confrontations, this was it. After disappearing from their lives for a year, Gilmore owed her an explanation for why he’d come back. Ank’Harel was hundreds of miles from here. There was absolutely no reason why Gilmore should happen to be here the same time they were. 

After a day of hiking, Percy and Vex freshened up and met the others for dinner in the hotel dining room. Grog and Pike looked to be going more and more native, as they arrived in new clothing they’d bought at some of the local shops. Vex still couldn’t get over Pike’s new hairdo. Keyleth and Vax looked relaxed but somewhat bedraggled after another day spent mostly in the water. To say the salt was not doing flattering things to her twin’s hair was an understatement. But he didn’t seem to mind. Vax had never been as fussy about his appearance (or general hygiene) as Vex was. 

After dinner, Keyleth, Grog, Pike and Percy retired to the bar for brandy and cigars. The twins both begged off the exercise, saying they had to commune with their respective deities. Tary went to his room. By now, she thought he must be on the thirteenth draft of his love letter to Gilmore. In many ways, she hoped it would take him another day to perfect. There was a good chance she would have to nip this burgeoning relationship in the bud.

“The Dawnfather takes prayers at night, does he?” Vax asked, suspicious. 

“At night is usually when He tells me what to hunt,” Vex said. 

She could tell by the look in his eye that Vax knew she wasn’t being entirely truthful. “Happy hunting, sister.” 

“Thank you, brother.” And, truthfully, she did have a quarry in mind. 

When Vex returned to their room and relaxed enough to meditate, she used her Primeval Awareness, letting her mind relax until she felt that special push in a certain direction. There was a dragon within a mile of her. And another. And another. The first one she felt was big and old. The next five, small and very young. 

“Five?” she said aloud, coming out of her trance. Dragon clutches were usually more than double that. But also, Gilmore had had children? When had he found the time? She and Percy had barely found a spare moment to elope, much less hatch five children. 

And what did that mean for Gilmore’s interest in Tary? And where was J’mon? Gilmore had a lot of explaining to do. 

Before she snuck out that night, Vex’ahlia made certain Percy would not wake up in her absence by placing half a sleeping drought in his nightcap. Not the most forthright thing to do, but also not the first time she’d done it. And it saved her having to make excuses.

The wind off the ocean was cold, and she wrapped her cloak more tightly around herself as Vex stealthed through the sand dunes toward the keep in the distance. But she wasn’t 100 yards away from the structure when there was a burst of purple sparkling light, and suddenly Gilmore stood before her.

“Gilmore!” Vex greeted him, surprised. The tension in the air between them crackled, electric with possibilities both good and bad. 

“Vex’ahlia,” he replied, looking at her with a cold aloofness she could never have imagined from Gilmore. “Have you come to kill my family?” 

Vex was shocked. “Wh--No, of course not! I would never! How could you think that?” 

Gilmore didn’t say it, but he didn’t have to. Vox Machina were in the habit of slaying dragons. But Vex had told him she would never do such a thing as her companions had done to Thordak’s eggs. She was deeply hurt that he would even ask her that. “You don’t trust us anymore,” Vex realized. He had once been their closest ally. But he wasn’t, now. Not anymore. She could feel it.

“I will protect my family at all costs,” Gilmore said. “I should think you of all people would be able to understand that.” 

“Of course I do.” Vex’s eyes stung. “But Gilmore...I came here to talk to you about Tary. And, well. To say hello, dear. I’ve missed you. We all have.”  

Gilmore merely nodded. Not at all the warm greeting or embrace she’d been expecting. “You could have come calling during the day, knocked at the front doors.” They both knew stealthing here in the middle of the night spoke of different motives than saying hello. 

“They feel young,” she said. “Congratulations. You and J’mon must be very happy.” 

“Thank you,” he replied coolly. “I hear congratulations are owed in turn to your brother and Keyleth.” 

Odd. He couldn’t even bring himself to say Vax’s name. And what was he congratulating them about? Taking a year off adventuring?

“Give them my best.” It looked like the words pained Gilmore to say. Not because he didn’t wish them well, but because of all that might have been. 

Vex took a deep breath. All of this hurt far more than she’d been prepared for tonight. “Tell them yourself. You don’t have to hide here in this fortress. I understand you need to protect the little ones, but that doesn’t mean you have to avoid us. We love you, Gilmore. We’ve all missed you. Vax, Keyleth, Percy, Grog, Pike...I’m sure they’d all love to see you.”

“I can’t,” Gilmore said. “I’m sorry.” 

She tried to puzzle out his meaning. Of course there were hard feelings in the wake of his and Vax’s break-up. But she didn’t see how that meant they couldn’t still be friends. Besides, that was a year ago. And Gilmore had clearly moved on. She was fairly certain even Vax was over it by now, devastated as he’d been when she’d told him of what had happened on Vesrah. 

“What was it you wanted to say about your new friend?” Gilmore asked, moving the conversation along. 

“Well. I’ll be blunt,” Vex said. “Don’t toy with his affections. You clearly have your own life now, and I’m happy for you. But if you’re using Tary to get back at Vax--” 

Gilmore looked hurt. “Do you truly think so little of me now?” 

“I’m trying to understand why you’re pursuing Tary but avoiding the rest of us,” Vex’ahlia said. He had to admit, it was suspicious behavior at best. 

“I realize this may come as a shock,” Gilmore said softly. “But I don’t owe you any explanations. I’m not answerable to you. I am not a background character in your story. And frankly, who I choose to show affection is none of your business.” He inhaled a short, painful breath. “Not anymore.” 

Vex’s first instinct was to fight. How dare he speak to her this way? But intellectually, she knew he was right. “Oh, Gilmore.” Her shoulders sagged. “How has it come to this? I just want to give you a hug and tell you how much we missed you.” 

He raised his head a little, trying to appear unmoved. “You’re welcome to do so, Vex’ahlia.” 

Hesitantly, she walked across the sand and put her arms around him, almost afraid to rest her cheek against his chest, lest he push her away. When Gilmore’s arms wrapped around her, Vex breathed a sigh of relief. “How did this happen?” she asked, a burning pain in her chest. “You were our eighth party member, one of us, you were family. I don’t understand.”

“You know how,” Gilmore said, stroking her hair. “You are the only one who knows, and I’m sorry you must bear the burden of that knowledge alone.” 

“It’s been so nice the last year with things quiet. I still go hunting, but--” She broke off, thinking of the young grey render whose parent she had killed on her first Grey Hunt. She was still ashamed of having done that, and she doubted Gilmore would approve.

“Less crises are good for one’s health, I think,” Gilmore said. 

“Yes.” She let go, wiping her eyes. When Vex looked up, there was a figure approaching them from the keep. But it wasn’t one of the guard, as she might have expected. “Is that...your mother?” 

Gilmore looked surprised and glanced over his shoulder. “So it is.” 

“Oh, I’m so glad you visited your parents. They’re very sweet. I loved meeting them last year.” She didn’t add how jealous she was that Gilmore had such warm, supportive parents. But things were slowly getting better between her and Syldor. 

“I would be a terrible son indeed if I came to live in Marquet and avoided my own parents.” 

That made Vex’ahlia think. “But they’re not your parents, really, are they?” She hadn’t sensed any other adult dragons. 

“Sometimes your parents are the people who love and support you, not those who give birth to you.” 

Vex tried to think of it in the context of her own life. It didn’t quite fit, but found family was a concept she understood well. “I suppose that can be true.” Though it did make her wonder about Gilmore’s draconic parents. 

By this time, the old woman was within earshot. Vex’ahlia smiled in greeting. “Mrs. Geddmore, it’s lovely to see you again.” 

But his mother said nothing, stumping across the sand with her cane, before finally stopping at her son’s side. “You are one of those,” she said, in her faltering Common. “Ones who said friends of Shaun.” 

“Yes, that’s right,” Vex said. “Shaun’s friend.”

The white-haired old woman planted her feet, and raised her cane from the ground. Reaching to unscrew the foot, she leveled the cane at Vex’ahlia, and there followed a click that Vex knew all too well from her time spent with Percy. “Friends do not come at night to the back door.” 

Vex’ahlia laughed nervously. “Does Marquet have guns now?” 

That seemed to get Gilmore’s attention. He started and looked down at the old woman, asking her something in Marquesian. She replied, but kept the rifle trained on Vex. Gilmore spoke again, an entreaty, placing his hand on the barrel of the gun, pushing it downward. Opesa’s eyes narrowed. But whatever Gilmore said to her next worked. Reluctantly, the old woman lowered the gun. Gilmore bent to kiss his mother’s cheek. 

It was a great relief not to have a gun pointed at her anymore. All the same, Vex’ahlia didn’t want to take her chances. “I can see it’s probably time I should take my leave.” 

“That might be best,” Gilmore said. 

“I meant what I said, though. You are family to us. I wish things could be different.” 

“It’s often the people we love who hurt us the most,” Gilmore said. “I, too, wish things had been different.” 

“We’ll be here for another week,” Vex said, stepping back. “We’d love it if you came to see us. But if not--I understand.” 

Gilmore merely inclined his head in acknowledgement. 

“And Tary--he could use a companion, if you’re really serious about him. But if you’re not--”

“He’s an adult. You never told me what to do with your brother. I shouldn’t think this would be any different.” 

Vex had no real response for that--at least not one that wouldn’t lead to more harsh words--so she let it go. “I really do wish the best for you, Gilmore.” 

“I know, my dear. It was nice to see your face again.” 

“Yes.” Vex couldn’t quite summon a smile. “I forgot what good hugs you give.” 

“Any time.” 

She turned to go, feeling a little sick, and regretting having come. In retrospect, Vex wondered how she’d thought this would go. She had come here to warn Gilmore off Tary. Was it fair to expect a happy reunion afterwards? Perhaps Vex was still harboring hard feelings against Gilmore for abandoning them in Vesrah. 

And she had to ask herself, which of them was in the wrong here? The one who’d taken Tary on a date and made him very happy? Or the one who’d snuck out in the middle of the night to question his intentions? 

Vex wasn’t sure how to feel, but sadness was the main emotion she recognized. Suddenly she wanted to forget everything that had just happened. Vex’ahlia crept back to her room and crawled into bed with Percy, pulling him close. 

*

“What did she want?” Jarett asked, when Gilmore and Opesa returned to the keep. 

“I should have thrown my shoes at her!” Opesa said, her eyes flashing angrily as she passed the gun-cane back to her husband. She hugged Gilmore fiercely. “You are worth a thousand of them, my son.” When she let go, the old woman nodded at Jarett, indicating he should take over, then headed back to bed with Soren.

A smile flickered across Gilmore’s lips, but the sorrow showed in his eyes. “She...wanted to make sure I wasn’t using her friend Tary.”

“That buffoon?” Jarett asked in surprise. 

“Well, he seems to mean more to her than I ever did,” Gilmore said, moving to the window to look out at the waves breaking on the rocks below. 

“Then she has bad taste, just like her dog of a brother,” Jarett said, following close behind. 

The keep felt so empty now that the children and most of the servants were gone. Gilmore had sent them back to Ank’Harel at the first sight of the dragonslayer approaching. “Perhaps we should just go back home,” Gilmore said sadly. 

“I admit I’m curious how the emperor will react to two more large dogs running through the palace,” Jarett said, wrapping his arms around Gilmore from behind. “But I hate to give up our alone time so soon.” 

Gilmore covered Jarett’s hands with his own. “I don’t know.” One of his handmaidens offered a goblet of wine, and Gilmore took it. “Thank you, Aisha.” 

“Let’s go sit by the fire,” Jarett urged. “We can drink and hold each other, and decide tomorrow.” 

Gilmore turned his head to look at Jarett over his shoulder. “That sounds tempting.” 

Jarett kissed his cheek. “Come keep my lap warm. This ocean wind is far too cold on my desert bones.” 

Gilmore let Jarett tug him along, and settled against him on a cushioned bench by the hearth. He spent most of the night just listening to Jarett talk, and taking comfort in his steady, devoted presence.