“Oh, they were,” Faust said. “I hired a mercenary escort at my first town stop after a failed assassination, much to my court historian’s dismay. I was not supposed to have an escort until I reached Hol, but I needed one sooner than that, so I hired Ignas. He also saved me in Limorous when His Excellency Emoris ordered my murder. I trust Ignas with my life.”
“All the guilds speak of you, too,” Aris said. “The Guild of Masters calls you their patron, and I hear they made a deal with the Guild of Smithery recently.”
Faust’s heart fluttered. That had to mean Ignas was alive, and the Guild of Smithery may still speak with him. He swallowed his nerves with a small smile. “I see Terrence and Ignas have been busy. I am glad. I want to bring change for the people. The kingdoms are too unbalanced right now. The power is tipped too much in Alios’s favor with a four-stone user and deities at the helm. Each kingdom needs a king, and they must be a four-stone user, but I only know of three right now—one is already ruling. I will not be one of them.”
“That will change. You are a king, too.”
“A false one,” Faust said with a shake of his head. “Why would the kingdoms listen to a puppet of a king?”
“Because you’re the rightful king.”
Faust stared at Aris, transfixed by Aris’s unwavering confidence and blinding sky-blue aura.
“You are,” Aris insisted.
“How can you be so certain?”
Aris reached over and tapped Faust’s chest. “I just know.”
Faust exhaled, his chest warm. Magic curled and collided like the tide meeting the shore under Aris’s light touch.
Faust’s vision danced with a young blond playing in water, kicking it up with his usual laughter. Linos. The deity turned to Faust, arms out, and opened his mouth to call to him. Sky-blue eyes stared back at Faust, full of mirth.
“Faust?” Aris asked.
Faust lifted his gaze to Aris’s, pulled in by his sky-blue eyes—the same eyes as the ones in his vision. “Is my satchel nearby?”
Aris nodded. He slid off the bed and brought Faust the satchel.
Faust kept his eyes down and wrote out his vision, aware Aris watched him until he put his quill pen down. He stared at his personal knight. Aris’s eyes were the same as the ones in his vision and Faust was convinced now that these dreams of his were visions of the past. Faust broke eye contact and rubbed at his forehead. He needed to meet with Terrence and ask about this. The guild master knew something about it. Otherwise, Terrence wouldn’t have asked him to keep track of his dreams.
“You look tired,” Aris said.
Faust couldn’t agree more. He had a rather obvious realization just now, but he couldn’t be certain. “The medicine must be kicking in,” he said offhand.
“Then you should rest.”
Faust glanced at the bed. He didn’t want to sleep alone. He’d had far too many attempts on his life, and at least in the castle, he knew who his enemy was. Here, he couldn’t be so sure.
“I’ll sleep with you,” Aris said.
Faust blinked and gaped at Aris.
Aris’s face slowly lit with recognition and embarrassment. “I mean—I—um.”
Faust’s face matched Aris’s in color until he burst into a small bout of laughter. “And here I was wondering if it was appropriate to ask you and you just,” he motioned with his hand, “jumped right to it.”
Aris grew even redder.
Faust’s smile widened. “Please lay with me. I would rather not be alone, and you are a lot warmer than the blankets.”
A laugh erupted from Aris’s lips, the tension broken. “I’d hope I am. If you will have me, I will gladly keep you warm. It is but a grand honor.” He bowed.
Faust beckoned Aris closer, and once in range, he kissed Aris’s temple. “But, of course, my brave knight.”
Chapter Forty-Nine
Mika pulled his horse to a stop in a clearing mostly hidden by the snow-laden trees. “We should stop here for the night.”
“I can keep going,” Faust said. “It will take us nearly two weeks to get to Shar if we keep this pace.”
Mika ignored Faust. “Aris, clear the snow by that tree.” He pointed. It was large at the base with a decent opening under the numerous roots.
Aris settled his horse and tied it to a root to begin his task.
Faust exhaled, his breath billowing into a cloud.
“You need to rest, my lord.” Mika tied his steed to another root. “If we push through too fast, your wounds will never heal.”
Faust knew that, but it didn’t make this any less frustrating. It didn’t help that he constantly looked to the sky for signs of green, but Aris reassured him neither deity would be able to leave Limorous for a while because of the storm Aris left there. While Faust could see the storm for himself, it did little to quell his anxiety over the matter. Faust sighed as he waited for Mika to help him dismount.
Mika stood by Faust’s horse and helped Faust, steadying Faust on solid ground. “How are your wounds?”
“Sore,” Faust said, pushing his glasses back on the bridge of his nose. The faster he healed, the less help he would need.
“I cleared the snow,” Aris called as he rummaged through the saddlebags. He pulled out a bundle of canvas and tied it among the roots to form a small room.
“I will scout the area and hunt for food.” Mika unclipped his bow and arrows from the saddlebags. “Aris, keep Lord Arcus safe.”
Aris saluted and went back to his work.
Faust grabbed the wrapped pelts from his horse and laid them out on the ground under the canvas roof. He tugged his cloak tighter with a shiver, smiling when Aris’s lightweight pressed against his back and Aris’s arms wrapped around his shoulders. “My brave knight.”
“My king,” Aris said. “You looked cold, so . . .”
Faust pressed his cheek to Aris’s. “Thank you.”
“I’ll make a fire,” Aris said and moved away. “You should lay down, though.”
“I will do that.” Faust smiled. He missed Aris’s body heat, but they needed a fire. It was far too cold to be without one. He stretched out on his stomach and watched Aris gather wood. They’d done this several times now, but it always amazed him at how both Mika and Aris were so well versed in camping in the wilderness.
Aris made three stacks and started the fire, fanning it out until it was a reasonable size. He grabbed rations and the canisters of water next.
“I can help,” Faust said.
“Commander Frei will be upset if you do,” Aris said.
“That I will,” Mika said, coming back into the clearing with a small animal. “After we eat, I must reapply the salve to your back and side, Lord Arcus.”
Faust sighed.
Aris jogged over and draped a pelt over Faust with a smile.
“Thank you, my brave knight.”
Mika shook his head and skinned their meal. It didn’t take long to cook it or eat it, and by that time, their small camp was far warmer. Mika grabbed their medical supplies from his saddlebag and asked Faust to sit with his back to him.
Faust crossed his legs and pulled his tunics out of the way.