First Month of Autumn

Third Era, Year 332

It took Ardan nearly five years to finally convince Caol to marry. During that time they had more arguments about it than Ardan could count, especially when the court started suggesting that Caol should consider abdicating. There were several times when Ardan thought about breaking off the relationship and strictly being the court sorcerer, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. The thought of losing Caol as a lover broke something deep inside of him, and he realized then that, despite neither of them having said anything about it, he loved Caol far more deeply than he could have imagined. Whether or not Caol felt the same, he didn't want to know. All he was sure of was that Caol didn't want to lose his friend and bedmate.

The rumors began to grow as time wore on. It was clear to many people – likely thanks to the servants – that Ardan was the one distracting Caol from choosing a wife. No one asked him directly, but he could tell that everyone was watching how they interacted at all times. It was incredibly stressful.

Then, one afternoon in the First Month of Autumn, one of the daughters of a court adviser came to him with news and an offer.

"No, my father has not sent me to speak to you," Aisa began. "I'm here of my own choice, because I fear for King Caol's life." Her voice grew quiet as she explained, "I overheard a conversation between my father and some other members of the court last night. They were discussing ways they could force King Caol to abdicate to save the line of succession, and someone even mentioned poisoning him."

A cold shiver of fear passed through Ardan and it was all he could do to keep his voice calm enough to ask, "Why didn't you make any of this known until now? He could have been poisoned over breakfast or the midday meal."

She shook her head. "I specifically heard them say they needed more time to decide, that rushing into anything would be failure. I'm warning you now."

Ardan calmed himself. There was no reason for him to rush into any action, either. "Demands for abdication are nothing new, but I'll have to see if I can find tasters for him."

"That's not the only reason I'm here," Aisa added. "I'm also here because I feel sympathy for him. The rumors say you are his lover and the reason he doesn't want to marry."

Ardan saw no use in hiding the truth. "Yes, but I have argued with him more often than his advisers have about finding a wife to give him an heir. He won't listen to me any more than them."

"Maybe he's afraid of hurting his relationship with you," she suggested. "Even if you want him to marry, he wants to ensure that he has you in his life."

Ardan nodded. "That's how I see it, too."

She smiled faintly. "What if he were able to find a wife who wouldn't be that selfish? I've never been all that interested in marriage, but if no one helps him, there will be conflict among his brothers and nephews when his reign ends, even if the court itself chooses someone to replace him. Getting married could very well save his life now. And, if he were to choose me, I would be happy to let the two of you have your time together as often as you'd like."

He gave her a skeptical look. "You're certain no one suggested you do this?"

She sighed. "You understandably wonder what my motives are. Maybe I do want to be chosen to show my father that threatening him was not the answer, that a woman's actions can be far better than a man's pushiness. Maybe I do find His Majesty immensely handsome and wish to see more of him. Truly? I want to help. I've heard your story, and I want both of you to be safe and happy. He and I were friends long ago, when we were children and able to run wild through the castle grounds. Before we reached the age where that was considered inappropriate and our fathers started suggesting that we should wed. I knew his secret back then, as well. I found him with my brother once, before my brother was made to become a soldier and died of an infection after they raided a bandit camp. Maybe it's in his memory that I want to help, as well."

Ardan had to admit that she seemed genuinely interested in helping. Or, at least, that she believed her own words. He nodded and motioned to the door. "Shall we go find him?"

Caol took the news of a possible assassination plot with very little reaction. He merely nodded and declared, "Now I can be rid of the annoying bastards."

"I have more to say," Aisa continued.

Caol reacted more to her offer of marriage than he had the news of people wanting to kill him. Though Aisa was speaking, he focused all of his attention on Ardan, scowling at him more seriously than he ever had before. He was clearly unwilling to confront Ardan in front of her, but she withdrew herself without being asked to let Ardan and Caol talk.

"She came to me," Ardan defended. "She told me this idea after telling me what she had overheard. She truly wants to help."

"But why did you suggest to her that I would be willing to do this?" Caol demanded.

"She knew you wouldn't be willing. She's offering anyway. I thought you would consider her an old friend and at least think it over." He gripped Caol's hand tightly. "You need to stop denying that you need to marry, especially now that your life could be in danger. She wants us to still be lovers even after you wed her. I will still be here, Caol."

Caol had gone quiet and still, looking away. "Can you promise that?" he asked, emotion lacing through his words. "Because I would rather die than give up what we have together."

Ardan nodded, gripping his hand even tighter. "I will always be here. For as long as you want me. But I don't want to see you continue to fight this because of your damn pride. Or your fear of losing me. Because you won't lose me. I swear it."

Caol sank down onto a chair, still letting Ardan hold his hand. "You're willing to share me?"

"Yes. As long as there is still room in your life for me, I am willing. There is no avoiding this, Caol. This is what must be done."

Finally, Caol nodded. "Then I will do it."

Once Caol promised not to put anyone to death, Aisa shared the names of those who had been suggesting assassination. Under questioning, all six men confessed to wanting him off the throne one way or another. They were stripped of all lands and titles, banned for life from the city under threat of death, and their heirs were barred from joining court in their fathers' places. Instead, he found new advisers from among others close to the family, people who were far more supportive of him than those he had just removed. He did, after Ardan's suggestion, allow Aisa's mother and siblings to have possession of her father's wealth and holdings, instead of granting those holdings to new owners.

The wedding was planned and held within the month. It was as if the court feared that Caol would change his mind after finally giving in to everyone's demands. Even Ardan was worried until the full ceremony was over, and glad he had requested a seat where Caol couldn't easily see him. Caol seemed perfectly composed and at ease during the entire ceremony, but Ardan knew that it was only because of his royal training. Inside, Caol was panicking and, instead of comforting him, Ardan knew that Caol seeing him would probably cause him to stop the ceremony before it was over.

He didn't let Caol see him until after the ceremony, when Caol introduced Aisa to the court as his queen. Ardan bowed to them, though he gave Caol a hint of his suppressed smile. Some of the tension eased from Caol when he noticed, which was all Ardan wanted. Despite having been a part of the arrangement, Ardan allowed Caol to follow protocol and introduce Aisa to him. Then he raised Aisa's hand and kissed it as he was expected to. She smiled at him.

The banquet after the ceremony went into the night, filled with food and dancing. Ardan lost count of the number of people who asked him how he truly felt about the marriage. If they were expecting jealousy to gossip about, they were disappointed, but his answers still managed to confirm the rumors. At this point it didn't matter. All anyone cared about was that Caol was married and one step closer to having a heir.

Ardan was rather surprised when Aisa came to him early the next morning while he was taking breakfast in his office. He motioned for her to sit and offered her a drink, which she politely declined.

"We need your help," she said once she was seated.

Worry shot through him. What could have happened so soon? "What is it?"

She smoothed out her gown and sighed. "He couldn't do it. We tried, but he couldn't make love to me. My duty as his wife is to bear his heir, but if he can't father the child, what use was marriage for him at all?"

Ardan nodded in understanding. "What would you like me to do? I can find an aphrodisiac in the city I'm sure, but that will raise suspicions."

Aisa sighed. "I know. I honestly believe that the best option is for you to be there with us when we try again. I know that I agreed that I would honor your time alone together, and I still plan to. But I truly believe that the only way he will be able to do this is with you there. He's miserable now, absolutely miserable. He believes he's a failure. He needs you."

"What exactly are you asking me to do?" he questioned.

"Whatever he needs. I always thought," she added with a smirk, "that having two men in bed would be better than one. Of course, that's if you don't object to my presence."

Ardan snorted. "I've had more experience with women than he has, clearly."

Aisa smiled. "So, will you join us?"

"I do believe it would be my duty to the crown to do so," he replied with a smile. "Tonight and whenever I'm needed."

"Thank you."

They both stood and she leaned over to kiss his cheek.

This certainly would be very interesting, he decided after she left. He planned to enjoy it if he could.

He didn't know that within a year everything would be over.