Chapter 14 Part 5 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book 1
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He was the Duke of Whithorse; his word there was law now that he'd come of age. He would send them to the Estate. He would send them to Alvo. "Don't go away. Here--finish your brandy."
He sprinted to the door, and called for a footman. When the young man ran up, a discreet smirk on his face, Temmin realized that Arta was right: her reputation was already ruined. "Does something amuse you, Caid?" barked Temmin. A more sober expression quickly took up residence on Caid's face. "Find that footman Wallek, and bring him here. Then go fetch Teacher. I need him."
Caid goggled, but did as he was told, hurrying down the hallway past the other footman posted in the hall. "What's amiss?" whispered the duty man as Caid passed.
"Prince has finally gotten round to it," said Caid, pausing once Temmin was back inside, "but looks like 'e wants the pair of 'em!"
The other shook his head. "No accountin for royals."
In short order, Caid brought a rumpled, confused Fen Wallek to the door, still limping slightly. "Why does he want me?" said Fen.
"Damned if I know why anyone'd want a freckled rustic like you," muttered Caid. "Maybe he just wants to complete the pair, like."
"What's that supposed to mean, you cock's egg?" But Caid had knocked on the door and was now trotting down the hall toward the oldest part of the Keep.
The Prince himself appeared in the open door in his shirtsleeves, his hair pointing every which way. "Wallek, very good, stop gaping and get in here."
"Yes, sir," said Fen, bobbing from the waist before entering. "I'm sorry for my dress, sir, I was just about to turn in--" He stopped short at the sight of Arta, her eyes red and a fancy, inexpertly fastened dress barely draped over her shoulders. "Pagg damn you, you lyin bastard!" he shouted. "You said--you said-- Pagg damn you for a liar! Pagg damn me for believin either of you! Marketgate it is, but I'll fuckin pound you into the ground first!" Arta launched herself at Fen, begging him to listen, but he thrust her away. "Don' touch me! Slut! Bitch!"
"Keep it down, or you'll ruin everything!" hissed Temmin, circling away as Fen put up his fists. "She's neither of those things, idiot. You can think what you want of me, but Arta's innocent in this. My father sent her here against her will. She's trying to save your life, and I have to get you both out of here without anyone noticing."
"Fen, truly!" she cried.
"Noticin? Oh, god, that's what that fathead meant--half the Keep must know about her, and now they'll think I'm part of it, too! I'll fuckin kill you both!" said Fen.
He lunged at Temmin, but the Prince danced out of reach. "Would you rather be humiliated or dead?"
"Oh, I already know I'll be dead, as soon as you call the Guards!" He lunged again; this time, Temmin caught him. They grappled, until Temmin brought a hard kick down on Fen's already-injured thigh; the redhead dropped to the floor, cursing.
"Think! Why haven't I called the Guards yet, if I'm so anxious to see you dead?" said Temmin. "And why would I invite a hothead like you into my rooms if I were busy seducing his betrothed?" He stepped back out of reach again. "Just listen, will you? Arta, tell him."
The story poured out of the girl, rushed and frantic: the guilty dance in the hallway; Winmer; the threats against them both. "Fen, I didn' know what else to do! I knew I'd lose you, but better me alone and ashamed than you dead!" she said. She crouched down beside him, and cried what tears she had left.
"You could have told me!" said Fen.
"And have you do something even more stupid than this? We're telling you now, and I can help you both if you'll let me," said Temmin.
Fen glared at him briefly, then took Arta in his arms there on the floor. "There, now, sweetheart, you shouldn'a, but here we are, and I love you still."
"Just trust him, Fen, please," she said, and clung to him in relief.
"What can he do?" said Fen, tears now slipping from his eyes. "If I'm taken up for treason--I don' care for myself, but Bern'd lose his place at university--that's my brother, sir."
"You won't be taken up. You would never have been taken up, but I'm going to hide you anyway just in case," said Temmin. "I'm sending you to a friend--" A knock at the door, and Temmin ushered Teacher into the room; Fen and Arta made Amma's sign. "Oh, stop that. He won't hurt you," Temmin said in exasperation.
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