Kairos 27: Purchased with Blood

The wedding’s disastrous conclusion had killed the mood.

Kairos had never seen Sertorius so furious. The man had always looked icy and emotionless, but his angry glare could kill the faint-hearted. Not only had the treaty with Orthia gone down the drains, but someone murdered a guest under his roof; a serious insult. The magistrate confined everyone inside his villa until he figured out how Orthia’s prince had been poisoned.

Thankfully, Kairos had some expertise to provide.

“The cake?” Sertorius asked him.

Kairos answered with a nod. After he examined the feast’s food and drink, Sertorius summoned him, Dispater, Cassandra, and Queen Euthenia to a red-walled office. The group sat around a large painted table four meters in length made of the finest wood, under the watchful gaze of steel automatons.

Queen Euthenia looked at the pirate with reddened eyes, her tears dried. The sight filled Kairos with compassion; he knew how it felt to lose many family members in close succession. “Half the guests ate a slice. How is it that only my nephew perished?”

“The poison was magically modified to become benign, unless put in contact with another substance,” Kairos explained. He doubted anyone without [Poison Crafter 3] would have identified the poison. “Rhadamanthe found traces in the boy’s body.”

“What remained of it,” Cassandra said with a frown. Kairos’ first mate was no stranger to violence, but watching a six-year old child burn alive would have shaken anyone.

“It’s possible he already ingested the substance before we even abducted him,” Kairos said. Perhaps the boy’s uncle had done the deed.

Sertorius joined his hands, considering the matter thoughtfully. “Can you prove that the Poison King is behind this?”

“He gave me an antidote which covers almost every form of poison as a gift, except dragon’s venom.” Even Kairos realized how weak and circumstantial it sounded as he said it out loud, especially since he gave away the potion to Euryale.

“I can track down the intermediaries Mithridates used to hire us,” Cassandra added, Queen Euthenia’s serene face turning cold and angry as she spoke. “He is the one who hired us to attack Boeotia, to destroy Lysander’s line, and increase tensions with Thessala.”

“He wanted a Travian [Hero] in his pocket,” Kairos said grimly. “Someone to do his dirty jobs.”

Euthenia listened without a word. It seemed that she already suspected the Poison King’s interference, but in the end, it made no difference. “I will track these contacts of yours, if they still live, but I doubt it will be enough. The Poison King is no fool, he must have covered his tracks.”

“He is the Poison King, and the one who benefits the most from this crime,” Kairos pointed out. “Who else could it be?”

“You,” she hissed at him. “You, who love poisonous reptiles so much that you turned a hydra into your flag.”

The pirate flinched, as Queen Euthenia seethed at him. Sertorius’ next comment didn’t help either. “Some of my guests already accused you, though none were courageous enough to say it openly.”

“I can make an oath,” Kairos protested. “I had nothing to do with this.”

“There are Skills and items that allow men to lie even to the gods,” Dispater pointed out. “As a rogue [Hero], I’m afraid your word will always seem suspect. Just as Mithridates could swear his innocence and not be struck down.”

“Who will my people believe?” Euthenia asked. “The Thessalan king who tried to negotiate Critias’ release through diplomatic means and did his best to form an alliance with our nation… or the foreign pirate who raided our shores, slaughtered the royal family, and allied with an expansionist empire? You are Orthia’s most loathed enemy, not Pergamon.”

Kairos suddenly realized that Mithridates’ plan hadn’t just been to kill Critias, but to frame the Travian for the crime; just as his catspaw attempted to murder the boy back in Histria. That cunning bastard…

“Can’t you convince your people?” Dispater asked Queen Euthenia. “There is no more proof implicating our allies than this Mithridates, while he is a purple-skinned man who openly gained his [Legend] by dabbling in poison.”

“Every one of Mithridates’ connections shows his lust for power,” Kairos added.

“I think you underestimate his popularity in the Thessalan League,” Cassandra said. “Remember that we took the job in the first place, because we thought him fair in his dealings. Pergamon is Orthia’s main trading partner, and Mithridates has many artists singing his praises to foreign courts. Many see him as the Thessalan League’s one true defender against foreign influences… or pirates raiding their shores.”

“Even if I do believe you, Mithridates’ puppet Antipater will have control over the army soon enough.” Euthenia shook her head. “My co-ruler Pausanias was always a bit too ambivalent, sniffing where the wind blew. I obtained his signature for a treaty to secure Critias’ release, but now that my nephew perished…”

Kairos’ hands clenched. “You have to speak up, and use reason with your people. Why would I murder a hostage when I had nothing to gain but more scorn?”

“People who already distrust Mithridates will believe him responsible, but most will blame the poisonous pirate who kidnapped Critias in the first place, or the Lycean magistrate who guaranteed his safety.” Euthenia’s eyes moved from Sertorius to Kairos. “None of this would have happened, if you had left us in peace. My nephew’s death is on your head as much as Mithridates’, Travian.”

“I feel sorry for your nephew,” Kairos admitted while returning the glare. “But not for raiding your shores and freeing your helots.”

“And Antipater will continue the war you started. The agreement we formed is void with my nephew’s death prior to your signature, and my country will demand vengeance. An Orthian king was murdered in Lyce, and Pergamon’s propaganda will find a fertile soil in which to grow.”

“Remus is my brother-in-law now,” Sertorius warned the masked Queen, his eyes sharp as steel. “Your people should tread carefully. We do not always get what we want.”

“You will buy time, but not forever.” Queen Euthenia rose up from her seat. “I must return to Orthia in haste, after interrogating your cooks.”

“You have our full cooperation,” Sertorius promised. “In this matter at least, we are allies.”

The Queen’s gaze turned disdainful. “Your kind does not understand the concept of friendship. You will make the world a desert and call it peace. Mithridates enjoys the support he has because your shadow looms over us, ever so threatening.”

“And if your people do not want to fear more than our shadow, then they should select their allies wisely.” Sertorius glanced at one of the steel sentries, the automatons moving to escort Euthenia out of the room.

“This ruins our planning,” Dispater told his son-in-law, the moment the Orthian ruler left.

“We will adapt,” Sertorius replied, completely unflappable.

Cassandra squinted at the Lyceans. “Your planning?”

The magistrate glanced at Cass, evaluating her carefully. “How much do you trust your second-in-command, Remus?”

“With my life,” Kairos replied, Cassandra straightening up on her seat. “I hide nothing from her.”

“I will be straight and to the point then.”

Sertorius put a map of the Thessalan League’s many cities on the table. Orthia, Thessala… and Pergamon, most of all.

“You, my friends, are now part of a secret international coalition aiming to conquer the Thessalan League within the next decade.”

“You can’t be serious,” Cassandra said, her eyes widening in shock.

“Of course we are.” Dispater flashed a terrible, greedy smile. “This is now or never.”

“The League has never been more divided or weakened,” Sertorius explained. “Orthia is a rusting shield, Thessala lost most of its fleet in recent years, and Pergamon’s attempts to conquer the other city-states open up many opportunities. Others have seen the opportunity too, and sharpen their swords.”

Kairos scowled at his brother-in-law. The Lycean had alluded to his plans during their last meeting, but he would have preferred him to breach the subject before the wedding. “How do I fit into this?”

“We will form a triumvirate, the spear’s tip if you will,” Sertorius said. “I have the influence, Dispater has the funds, and you have the navy. By pooling our resources, we can form a whole greater than the sum of its parts.”

Cassandra looked at the map with concern. “You planned this from the beginning. You knew the boy would die.”

“I hoped for a few years to better prepare, but Mithridates forced our hand early. As I told my brother-in-law, now is the moment to act. We cannot allow Mithridates to become a [Demigod] and unify the League against us.”

“We have a small fleet, not a navy,” Kairos pointed out. “I don’t have the clout to mobilize other pirate lords at home and threaten Mithridates.”

“I believe otherwise, my friend,” Sertorius replied. “You are a [Hero] with powerful lieutenants, a Travian pirate lord, and a proven battle commander. Your people will not mobilize for us, even for gold… but they will follow you.”

“I will provide you funds to hire Travian mercenaries,” Dispater said. “As I am raising our own legions here in Lyce.”

Kairos doubted this plan. The risks were high and the potential rewards higher, but… “I alienated many supporters among the Travians after the Bloodbath of Histria,” the [Hero] admitted. “Many see me as greedy and arrogant.”

“Because you lacked the resources to match your skills and ambitions,” Sertorius responded with a shark-like smile. “Now you have them. The difference between a boast and a statement, my friend, is how much you can back up your words. You no longer stand alone.”

Kairos crossed his arms, trying to make sense out of this.

The battle of Boeotia had taught him caution, and the danger of overreaching. However, Sertorius had a point. He was no longer standing as a lone captain fending off a nation; he was now part of a network with vast resources and influence. Dispater alone had more wealth than most nations, and Sertorius had a long diplomatic reach.

If these men backed him, then Kairos could indeed federate pirate lords and improve his image at home. Travians were mercenaries at heart, their folk heroes always straddling the line between ambitious fools and successful warlords.

Many like Teuta or Castor would never accept Kairos, not after he took a Lycean wife. But most Travians were starving raiders desperate for work, wealth, and fertile land. They would follow a leader who could fill their stomach and purses, even if he paid them with foreign coins.

I have to maintain a careful balance, Kairos thought. He had to look like Lyce’s ally, not its vassal.

“Why don’t you invade the League alone?” Cassandra asked, dubious. “Lyce has more than enough legions to do so, especially since the city-states are divided.”

Sertorius’ expression turned into an angry scowl. “Pergamon’s silver funds a rival faction among the Senex, paralyzing the old fools. Lyce will not fully mobilize yet, at least not until we secure a few victories and break Mithridates’ commercial influence. Thankfully, we have enough influence to raise our own legions.”

Kairos observed the Thessalan map, and the vast lands divided between the three major city-states. Like his brother-in-law, he only saw division when he looked at this land. An opportunity that Mithridates might destroy, if he was allowed to carry on with his plans.

“Travia tried to conquer the Thessalans in the past, and was repelled,” Sertorius said. “Why?”

“Because we were divided,” Kairos replied. “Too many pirate lords pulling in different directions. Some were bribed to turn around, others fought over plunder. And we stood alone.”

“You can be the strong hand that will lead your people to greatness, my friend. Our legions will fight with your fleets, and grind these feeble city-states to dust. The lands you conquer shall be yours to settle as you see fit, and the tributes we gather will fill your chests.”

“Someone made us that promise before,” Cassandra said, Kairos silently agreeing with her. “You are the second group to promise us wealth and power.”

She had a point. These men were as power-hungry as Mithridates, and Dispater’s whole [Legend] was built upon his greed. They burnt with the same ambition that fueled Kairos himself.

“Mithridates made the same promises, and tried to get rid of us once we were no longer useful,” Cassandra kept arguing. “What tells us it won’t end the same way than with him?”

“Mithridates purchased his alliance with coins, and ours with blood.” Sertorius locked eyes with Kairos, “I gave you my sister, and you will give me nephews and nieces. We are family.”

Family.

It was family enforced through contract and mutual interest, at least until Kairos and Julia had children. But family all the same.

“The only good mortar to form alliances is blood,” Sertorius continued. “Ours, or the enemies. The reason why I arranged this marriage in the first place was to create something firmer than a mere commercial transaction.”

“We could fail,” Kairos pointed out, trying to show caution.

“Perhaps,” Dispater agreed. “But nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

“Mithridates wanted to use you as an expendable pawn, a discardable knife for a hidden hand,” Sertorius said. “While we will fight openly under the same banner.”

“Lyce’s?” Cassandra addressed the elephant in the room.

“I cannot federate the Travians if they see me as a client of Lyce,” Kairos added.

“I told you before, what I want is a Travian king whom I can call a friend and brother. No more nor less.” Sertorius joined his hands together. “Use our coins to build an army that answers to you, and win victories in your own name. All I ask is that you return our generosity when the time comes, and help us further our own ambitions.”

Kairos exchanged a glance with Cassandra. His first mate was conflicted on the issue, seeing the risks, but also the potential rewards. “I will follow wherever you go, Kairos,” she said. “But mark my word. If you do this, it will be victory or death.”

There would be no middle ground.

Unfortunately, Cassandra seemed to believe they had other options. They didn’t. The Foresight’s crew had gone down this path the moment they raided Boeotia and set destiny in motion. A Thessalan war spilling out beyond the League’s borders was now inevitable, and Mithridates wouldn’t relent until Histria was crushed. Kairos knew too much and defied him by allying with Lyce.

As he told Cass when he signed the marriage contract, the pirate had gone too far to turn back. He had to see this through, or perish.

“How long do we have?” Kairos asked, all but agreeing to the plan.

“Clearly less than two years,” Sertorius replied, before looking at Cass. “How far are you from becoming a [Hero], Twice-Born?”

“One Quest,” she answered with a frown. “I must sink the Argo.”

“That ghost ship?” Dispater asked, an eyebrow raised.

“You are in luck, the Argo has been sighted near Achlys lately,” Sertorius said. “Complete your Quest, Twice-Born. A [Hero] is worth a hundred men, and if your crew overflows with them…”

“People will flock to our flag,” Kairos guessed. The strategy had merit, especially if Dispater provided them with funds to recruit more pirate lords into a cohesive coalition. “However…”

“There is another [Hero] active in Travia,” Cassandra pointed out the problem. “Pirate Queen Teuta.”

“Who has been harassing my ships for a long time,” Dispater said with a scowl, “and spared Pergamon’s.”

Kairos instantly caught on. “What are you implying?”

“You said Mithridates wanted a Travian [Hero] he could work with, my friend,” Sertorius reminded him, “I believe he was truthful. You just weren’t the one he had in mind.”

“That’s a bit far-fetched,” Cass said, skeptical. “Travians attacking Lycean ships is nothing new, and Teuta might never have had the opportunity to prey on Mithridates’ vessels.”

“No, I think he’s right,” Kairos said, joining his hands as this information cast old events under a new light. “Castor.”

“What about him?” she asked.

“Remember how he was adamant about continuing to attack Lycean ships and avoid a conflict with Orthia? How he attempted to recruit you on Teuta’s behalf when you gained a [Legend]? I thought he was a free agent, but now I am starting to doubt.”

Cass’ eyes widened in disbelief. “You think he was working on Teuta’s behalf?”

“Either to destabilize Histria or scout us out for an alliance.”

Kairos’ first mate scowled, while the Travian captain turned to his other co-conspirators. “Travians aren’t supposed to shed each other’s blood. I would rather avoid that.”

“Then strangle them,” Sertorius said dryly. He had a dark sense of humor. “If your fleet fights on our side, and Teuta’s on Mithridates’, what will you do? Avoid one another?”

“There is a moment in a man’s life, where he must do whatever it takes to succeed,” Dispater said, his friendly smile contrasting with his predatory gaze. “Victory excuses everything.”

Could Kairos truly make war on his own countrymen, if they fought on opposing sides of a foreign war? Though if he united the Travian people and gave them richer lands, they could finally break this endless cycle of piracy and truly prosper.

Sertorius sensed his confusion, and offered his peculiar wisdom. “Remus, I understand you feel kinship towards your countrymen. I feel this too, and that is good. Loyalty strengthens nations. But there is one kinship that stands above all others, and that is family. You and your mother are now part of a greater clan whose interests trumps those of even our respective nations. Meditate on that, while you embrace my sister.”

The conspirators split afterward, Kairos and Cass moving through the villa’s corridors under automaton escort. “You’re still thinking about Castor,” the captain said.

“I don’t want to believe that he would lie to me, but I can’t exclude the possibility either. I…” She crossed her arms. “I have shit luck with men.”

Kairos forced himself to smile. “Once you become a [Hero], you can raise your [Luck] stat.”

Cass chuckled at his terrible joke, before lightly punching him in the arm. “You’re insufferable.”

The captain sighed, happy to have broken her out of her terrible mood. “Take a night off, Cass. I think you need to rest, have real rest.”

“Yeah, I guess I will take a drink with Rhadamanthe. Being unable to save the kid shook him to his core, so he’ll need some support. Even a priest needs a confessor sometimes.” Cass chuckled to herself, as if imagining a joke in her head. “I almost miss Nessus right now. That satyr is an ass, but he makes people laugh.”

“Yes, he does.” Kairos squinted. “Do you think we could talk things out with Teuta, if it came down to that?”

“I do not know,” Cassandra replied. “She is headstrong and she loathes Lyce. If you want to form an alliance between your two motherlands, you will find in Teuta a relentless foe.”

Kairos expected as much. “We need to get stronger. Complete your Quest, make you a [Hero], raid the island’s dungeon for any magical item that can give us an edge. I still want to try if we can form a united front with Teuta, but for our voice to be heard, we must be strong.”

His first mate’s smile faltered as the automatons led them through the villa’s apartments and in front of a red door. Rook stood watch in front of it like a cerberus. “Kairos!” his partner looked at the [Hero] in relief. “I protected your mate in your absence! No enemy got past me!”

“And I thank you for it,” Kairos said with a smile. “But you don’t have to stay here all night, Rook.”

“I have to! It’s a very important moment for you, and someone wants to hurt you!” The griffin showed his chest, causing Cass to chuckle. “Not even a daemon will dare to approach!”

“Will I have to keep watch when you find a mate of your own too?”

“Of course not! I am your big brother, Kairos, I can take care of myself!”

The [Hero] shook his head at his adorableness, while Cass simply smiled at the scene. “Kairos, where are we going?”

The captain winced. “To Julia’s room.”

According to tradition, Kairos should have brought his bride to the Marius’ villa to consummate the wedding night. Since Sertorius didn’t let anyone out, he would have to do it here.

“I didn’t mean that,” Cass said, bristling. “Where are we going as a crew? We’re sailing into dangerous waters now. Even more dangerous.”

“I told you long ago,” the captain reminded her. “My dream is to make Travia as strong and respected as Lyce. My goal never changed. All that I do is to fulfill this dream. Will you keep dreaming with me, Cass?”

“Yes, of course I will.” Cass’ hand moved to the door’s handle, Rook stepping out to let her pass. “My life for yours.”

In contrast with the opulent villa, Julia’s bedroom was sparsely decorated. A mosaic on the ground showed a wolf warring with a falcon, a representation of Lycaon and Alexandria’s epic rivalry. The painted walls each represented one of the four elements, in the form of a flame, a raindrop, a cloud, and the earth itself. The room was windowless, like a gilded cage.

Kairos and Cass found Julia resting on a double bed of exotic redwood, on a mattress of swan feathers. Caenis combed her mistress’ hair with a hairbrush, while Kairos’ wife played a board game.

“Your king is in check, ma’am.” To Kairos’ surprise, Thales sat on a chair next to the bed, playing a game against Julia using his own gift. His dragon piece threatened his opponent’s king, though he had lost more pieces, including his elephants and one pegasus.

“Look carefully,” Julia replied, moving her pegasus into the dragon’s path. Thales could no longer attack with his strongest piece, and most importantly, this freed the werewolf’s sorceress to threaten the automaton’s king. “You were careless.”

Kairos gave a cursory glance to the game, realizing that while Thales kept his pieces in a tight defensive formation, he let Julia’s pieces occupy his flanks. Her pieces were closing into the automaton’s army like a great beast’s jaw.

“You delayed the confrontation for too long, Thales,” the [Hero] said, imagining how the confrontation went.

“Sir!” the automaton nodded at his captain, while Caenis shyly avoided Kairos’ gaze. “I have learned that each piece makes a big difference in the late-game, so I thought I should build a strong defense and win through attrition.”

“It’s not a bad strategy, but you positioned your pieces in a way that makes them block each other,” Julia said, before turning to her husband. “You think he can turn this around?”

“Yes, of course,” Kairos replied. Or at least, make the battle costly enough to force a draw.

“Perhaps you would like to take over, sir?” Thales asked, joining his hands. “I did not leave you in the best position though.”

“We shall put your skill to the test, husband,” Julia said, before smiling at Thales. “I greatly enjoyed our game. Do you play Board & Conquest perhaps?”

“I do, ma’am. I will happily play a game with you.”

“Good.” Julia looked at Cass next, who looked on without a word. “Do you play, Cassandra?”

“I am afraid not,” she replied courteously.

“A mistake,” Julia said. “If you want to win, you must play.”

Cassandra frowned, sensing a hidden message, but didn’t take the bite. “Thales, let’s go.”

“Oh, yes, sorry.” The automaton rose from his seat, bowing deeply. “Sir, ma'am."

“Caenis will stay a bit longer, to prepare us,” Kairos’ wife said, her eyes set on the game.

“You can sleep well tonight!” Rook told his partner, causing Julia to smile. “I will stand watch!”

Cass sent one last glance at Kairos, one of longing and regret, before closing the door behind her and Thales. Leaving the couple alone with Caenis. “Is your first mate…” Julia’s smile turned mischievous. “Open-minded, husband?”

Kairos frowned, as Caenis moved from the bed to remove his clothes. The slave avoided his gaze the best she could. “I do not think so, no.”

“A shame, I find her lovely in that pretty dress.”

“Domina might have preferred the Orthian Queen,” Caenis said, with a tone no true slave would dare to use with their mistress.

“I am curious about how she looks beneath that mask, yet I fear the reality will fall short of the [Legend].”

Once Caenis had removed Kairos’ armor and cloak, and prepared to do the same with his underclothes, but the pirate stopped her. “It is enough.”

“Dominu—”

“Don’t call me that,” Kairos interrupted her. “And you can meet my eyes. I asked that you be freed.”

“Lord Kairos, I’m…” Her smile was shy and demure, and though she finally dared to look at the pirate in the eyes, Kairos could tell it made her uncomfortable. “I am thankful for your concern, but I’m here out of my own free will. Lady Julia saved me.”

Kairos raised an eyebrow, causing the slave to blush. “I… I committed a crime that ought to deserve execution. I was a vestal who… who wasn’t true to her vows.”

Since vestals were virgin priestesses of the gods, Kairos quickly put the two and two together. “Did you…”

“Not with me,” Julia said, while her servant reddened further in embarrassment. “With another priestess, if you wish to know. It caused quite the scandal.”

“How did you get involved?” Kairos asked.

“My brother served as the case’s judge, and I was so curious that I asked to listen to her interrogation.”

“Lady Julia asked her brother to commute my sentence to slavery,” Caenis said. “A vestal who betrays her vows in Lyce is usually condemned to death, but as the Flavii family’s property, I was granted legal protection from reprisals.”

Kairos looked at her with sympathy. He worried she might lie to protect her mistress, but she seemed truthful. “Well, you won’t fear any reprisals in Travia, so you will be freed once we reach the shore.” Much like the gladiators he received as a ‘gift.’ “We will be far from Lyce, and you will enjoy my protection by then.”

Caenis joined her hands, biting her lower lip anxiously. “Lord Kairos, this will make no difference. I will stay at my lady’s side.”

“And you can stay so, as a freedwoman in my household. Nobody owns slaves in our country, not even its pirate lords.”

“Lady Julia told me of your homeland. I had never seen a minotaur before.” Caenis observed the pirate longingly. “I could massage Lord Kairos if he wishes, or smooth his skin with perfumed oil.”

“Caenis is very good with her hands,” Julia said coyly. “Relax, my husband. Let her work on your body while you focus your mind on the game.”

Though he was skeptical, Kairos decided to keep an open mind. A few minutes later, he was naked on the bed, the board game between him and Julia. Caenis applied perfumed oil to his back, legs, and arms.

Though Thales left Kairos in a bad position, fewer pieces meant he could keep some of them mobile. While the automaton’s defensive position prevented his soldiers from moving, his dragon and spellcasters remained free. “I didn’t know you liked board games.”

“My brother and I have played at them since we could walk, but he has grown invincible with age.” Julia frowned, as Kairos’ pieces started threatening her own. “I almost only play with Caenis nowadays.”

Caenis touched Kairos’ neck, and to his surprise, he felt a wave of pleasure course through his back. Julia hadn’t lied, the former vestal was talented. “I am afraid I am no match for Domina.”

“I needed to clear my mind,” Julia said with a scowl, while repositioning her own dragon away from danger. “Someone poisoning a guest at my own wedding left a bad taste.”

“A wedding gift from King Mithridates,” Kairos replied, exploiting her retreat to take an isolated elephant with his own dragon. Unlike Thales, he forced Julia to constantly defend her key pieces… leaving the others isolated.

In short, a cutthroat’s stratagem.

“The Poison King?” Julia frowned. “A shame. I brought a fertility potion, but I assume we won’t sip it.”

“No,” Kairos replied wisely. “He may have left another ‘wedding gift.’”

The Poison King needed an insider to murder Critias inside the villa, so all food and drinks were suspect. Perhaps he even employed someone among Kairos’ own retinue, though the [Hero] doubted so. He trusted his men with his life.

But then who could have poisoned the cake? Dispater? The cooks? The Achlys ambassador? Euthenia herself?

“Check,” Julia said after moving her elephant.

“Check,” Kairos said, blocking the path with his pegasus and threatening her king at the same time.

Julia prepared to move her king, only to realize her pieces’ positions left her dragon exposed to a spellcaster lying in ambush. “No way.”

“You spread your pieces too far to protect them correctly.” Kairos didn’t want to sound smug, but couldn’t help himself.

Julia sighed in exasperation, sacrificing her dragon to save her king. “Caenis, I will need your help.”

The servant moved to remove her mistress’ robes and jewels, before applying oil to her fair skin. Kairos’ eyes moved from the board to his wife, distracted by her lithe, lissome figure. The oil made her glisten at the light of the room’s oil lamp, like a marble statue, and contrasted neatly with her crimson hair.

In the end, Julia managed to recover a dragon by advancing a soldier all the way across the board, but the game slowed to a crawl. They were evenly matched. “Draw?” the werewolf proposed.

Kairos thought he could still win if he pushed, but decided to let his wife have her way. It was late anyway. “Draw.”

“I underestimated you,” Julia complained, while the pieces moved on their own back to their original place. Caenis removed the board from the bed, and threw rose petals on the sheet as tradition warranted. “You are bold and quick to exploit opportunities, but cautious enough to accept a draw over an uncertain victory. I see why my brother is so enamored with you.”

“Do I remove the lamp, my lords?” Caenis asked, as she prepared to take the door.

“It will die out in a few minutes,” Julia dismissed her concern. “Thank you, my dear. You were delightful.”

“I live to serve.” Caenis offered the couple a nod and one last glance, before closing the door behind her.

Kairos faced his wife, an invisible barrier standing between them as she examined his face with a thoughtful look. It seemed to dawn on her that they would share a bed for a long, long time.

“We don’t have to do it, if you don’t want to,” Kairos said to reassure her. “Or I can recall Caenis, if you need her presence.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary.” Julia raised her head against her right hand, looking into Kairos’ eyes. “Do you desire me? Of course you do. I see it in your gaze.”

Yes, he did. Though they didn’t have the ferocious spark Kairos shared with Andromache… he found his wife attractive, yes. “Do you desire me?”

She smiled, her canine sharp as fangs. It reminded him of Andromache, a flash of feral fierceness. “My brother told you of his wish.”

“He wants his family to rule the Sunsea, from what I gathered.”

“He has a ceaseless drive that few people possess. A bold ambition to conquer all that he sees, which women like me find quite attractive.”

Kairos meditated on her answer, before crossing the barrier between them. Julia let him approach, as he positioned himself on top of her. “You asked me at the wedding what I wanted from this deal,” the Travian said, their eyes meeting, their lips so close he could smell her warm breath. “I return the question to you. What do you want?”

Julia raised her left hand, her index finger brushing against his lips while she smiled.

“Everything,” she answered, so softly.

And as Kairos looked into her blue-grey eyes, he saw his own reflection.

Her lips opened for his, and they burned with the fires of ambition. The Travian had never tasted anything like that before, and he wanted more.

“I want the blood of that Poison King on my hands for ruining my wedding,” Julia whispered with hunger, as he moved to kiss her in the neck. “I want the Orthian whore’s diadem. I want a crown on my head.”

“It will all be ours,” Kairos replied. “It will all be ours.”

“I want to be queen,” she whispered, her canines turning into fangs, her nails into sharp claws sinking into his shoulders. “I want to be your queen.”

The oil lamp gave out, and all went dark.