was he? A servant? A friend? An adviser? He was definitely a lover. He was also a man. And, more than anything, March was aware that Edyon too was a man. And Edyon’s role as prince was to rule but also to provide heirs.
“You look serious,” Edyon said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Just a little tired.”
“Tired, but happy?”
March nodded. Mostly.
Edyon frowned. “I thought we’d been through this, March. We had a discussion just yesterday, and at least two nights a week for the last few weeks, about how you need to talk to me and tell me what’s on your mind.”
March nodded again. That was true. He continually promised to do that, but old habits were hard to shake off.
“Well?” Edyon insisted.
“I was thinking how good this all is.”
“And yet you manage to say that as if you’re bored with it already.”
March frowned. “I’m not bored. Never bored with you.”
“There’s a ‘but’ coming soon, isn’t there? I can hear it on its way, looming ever nearer. So what is it?”
“But I still have concerns about the future. For you. And for me.”
“You mean for us?”
March nodded. “I mean . . . they’ll expect you to marry and have children. And I don’t want to stand in your way if that’s what you want and—”
“Stop it. Will you please stop it? I’ve told you that’s not what I want.”
“No. But it’s expected.”
“I don’t care what’s expected. No one expected me to be ruler of this country. But I’ll do it as best I can for the time being. And I want you by my side all the time.” He leaned forward to March and said softly, “Only you. And no one else. I can’t do this job without you. And, what’s more, I don’t want to. I was wrong to allow you to be banished.”
“The alternative was death, so all in all . . .”
“I should have fought harder for you.”
“And then I’d have been on your side in the castle. I’d have been killed there or on the ship.”
“I was still wrong not to listen to you.”
“I was wrong not to tell you my secret earlier.”
“So it appears that neither of us is perfect. But together we’re . . . well, a lot better people. I’m not sure what the future holds, but I’m going to discuss it with my cousin, Queen Catherine.”
“Discuss us?” March was horrified. What would Edyon say?
“Discuss my role. Our roles. Discuss who rules after I’m gone, should I not have an heir, should I not marry. Calidor always used to be part of Brigant.”
March was even more horrified. “The Calidorians would hate to go back to that. Don’t even think it. Remember what your father told you about how they value their autonomy? The lords’ desperate fear is that to partner with any other country would lead to their loss of independence. They fought and died to keep the Brigantines out.”
“To keep Aloysius out.”
“And, much as Catherine is different from him, she is his daughter.”
“I’m his nephew. Much as it repulses me to think of that.”
March sniggered. “I’m sure Aloysius wouldn’t have enjoyed the thought either.”
Edyon smiled and nodded. “Anyway, as I was saying, I have an idea for a way forward that I want to discuss with Catherine and Tzsayn. They are the rulers of Pitoria and Brigant, and wish to move to a system more like that of Illast, which has a government of elected officials. Tzsayn has written to me about it. He’s very supportive of new ideas. It seems to work in Illast in a manner no worse than ours. But the point is that change is possible. Change can work for us.”
Edyon reached over the table, picked up the jug of elderflower water, and poured March a glass. “See, I am your prince and your servant too. Your partner and your lover. Your friend, who was once your enemy.”
“And I’m changed too. Thanks to you. In . . .” And March wanted to say it but still struggled. “In my heart.”
“Your heart?”
“Yes, I have one. And it’s changed. It’s yours.” March blushed and looked at Edyon, then away.
Edyon leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “That’s very good, March. Much more open and sharing. I like this new you immensely. And, as your heart is mine, there is something of yours that I’m definitely going to give up.”
“Something of mine?”
“My title as Prince of Abask.” Edyon eyed March. “It shouldn’t be mine. I’d like you to have it. If you’d