Author’s Note: When I started this story, I had this ending in mind from the beginning. That is to say, I knew this scene was coming because it gave me the title, but it didn’t come out on paper the way I had envisioned it.

“I have something I want to show you.”

“You do?” Agache asked, smiling. He reached for her hand, and Jis gave it gladly, wanting even more of a connection with him than she already had. This was what she’d envied in watching Anokii and Gekin together, and she was glad that they at last had this. She knew, too, that their relationship would always be twinged with some guilt for when they’d started feeling something for each other, but they had not taken that too far, and that knowledge must sustain them as they continued to grow their love now. At least the people had what they deserved—some sort of happiness after what they’d endured, and while she knew they would all carry their scars, while their land might never be united, they could look to the future with hope instead of fear.

She shook that thought away, giving her husband a smile. “I do.”

“That expression on your face is one that I have learned to fear after the time that I have spent with you,” he said, and she laughed. He did not fear anything about her, but she liked the way he teased her. She always had, under all the annoyance. “What torment have you devised for me?”

“I am the queen, not the king, and the new king—you—are a different sort of ruler. We do not torment anyone.”

“That depends on the definition. I think your behavior last night was rather… torturous since you were not willing to let me touch you and yet you would not stop touching me.”

She felt herself flushing. She had been rather bold, even at one point using esibani training against him. He had not complained too much. She’d believed he enjoyed that. “You are displeased?”

“I did not say that.”

“Is that what you’re hoping that I am planning now?”

“I am not sure I can endure more of that.”

“You survived the king’s torture. His brought you near death. Mine was… well, pleasurable.”

He nodded, stopping to touch her face, caressing her cheek before kissing her. She could let them get lost in this, it would be all too easy for them to do, but she had something else she had wanted him to see. She could not allow them to become distracted, not yet.

“Come. We don’t have much time.”

“Why are we rushing? I didn’t think there was any need of urgency. We have had a quiet time since our second wedding. There are quite a few among the Biskane who are very pleased to have you as their queen again, and I think you have made my rule seem more favorable than I could ever have expected. We may even be able to sustain this peace.”

She nodded. “I hope so. I do not want to think we shall lose it, not for our sake or for the people’s. I know there are some rumors of unrest, but I do hope that we can find a nonviolent solution to that. With most of the Nebkasha already settled in the new land, tensions have decreased considerably, and I think the Biskane are starting to accept you and life without the cruelty of the king to keep them harsh and angry all the time.”

He shook his head. “I have little to do with that. It is only that most who would have fought the changes are already gone.”

She tugged him forward. She doubted that he would ever acknowledge his part in keeping their land at peace and their people happy, no matter how long he managed to rule. “Here.”

“Jis, I do love you, but this is the same balcony we have been on many times before and—”

“Look, Agache. Look at the sky. The sun. It’s… Well, it’s beautiful, this combination of the clouds and the colors, but it’s more than that. After so long in the oppression of the twin suns…”

“Yes, I see what you mean, niniamant,” he said, closing his eyes, and she smiled as she saw a faint glow about him. “It is a perfect sunset.”

Author’s Note: So this story has just about reached its end. Once the negotiations were over, there wasn’t much tale left for me to tell, even though I found myself so attached to the queen and Agache that I wanted to do more with them. I just haven’t found a plot that would make a good sequel. Maybe I’ll satisfy my need to revisit old friends with a few short pieces instead.

“We will have to have a second ceremony according to the traditions of our land, you know,” Agache said, speaking again after several moments of silence. Anokii had been wondering if they would walk without conversation all the way to the castle, but then she knew, too, that first awkwardness after taking the vow of marriage, how timid and shy she and Gekin had been with each other even despite having consummated their love and their vows. Marriage changed so much, and for her cousin and his bride, their union was more complicated than most. They had to rule a country made up of two peoples that hated each other, and even with the permission she’d forced out of her father to allow the Nebkasha to settle in part of their land and buy it, tensions would be high between them and their neighbors for a long time to come. Anokii did think the other king had maneuvered things so that Agache would take Jis as his bride, but she did not know that his reasons for that were honorable.

She hoped the man had done it because he knew his daughter was unhappy, if he suspected that she loved Agache, but he could have done it with deception in mind, as he had with the last treaty. True, they knew what Jis was. They wanted her for a queen. Agache needed her. He did not have the luxury of settling in the Nebkasha’s new land. He was the king. He had to find a way to represent both peoples and would have to remain at the castle, at least at first. He would need support and love, and he had both of those things in the woman he’d chosen.

“I do not mind. We have vowed to be loyal to each other, and that does not change with repetition. Some people, though, they should have it and don’t.”

“Like Wenjige?”

The queen’s lips curved with disgust. “She betrayed her husband for Malzhi. How could she?”

“There were those who considered him attractive.”

“Liar.”

He laughed. “I’m not, though. By the standards of his people, he was handsome, and he had power, too. Some find that appealing.”

“They are as sick as he was.” The queen frowned. “You… Do you doubt my ability to be faithful to you after what happened between us? I do not… It is not the same. I had no desire to marry him, did not do it except by obligation, and I am not saying that to excuse my behavior—”

“I do not want excuses. It is not…” Agache sighed. “In some respects, it might be justice to have it all happen again, but I do not think it will. Neither of us wanted to break your vows. Neither of us did, not more than that kiss, and once we had done that… I suppose we should have stayed apart. Had it not been for the king’s death, my ascension to the throne, and the new treaty, we would have.”

Anokii frowned. She did think her cousin meant that—he would not have gone for the queen if he had not needed to negotiate with her people. He would have let her go. Anokii did not know if that was noble or foolish.

“I am rather glad of the treaty then,” the queen said, her voice quiet. He stopped, placing his hands on her face. “I know we are… more fortunate than most in what we now have.”

“You are not regretting returning with me, are you?”

“Of course not. Where you are is where I want to be.”

“We will still have to live in the castle until I can have a modest residence built on the border of our lands. I would like to step away from the throne and give it to someone else, but I see only bloodshed in doing so, and I cannot—”

“I am not asking you to abandon your people now. I would never do that.”

He pulled her close, kissing her. Anokii turned away, not needing to watch. She was glad to see her cousin happy, but she did not want to intrude upon that happiness, either. She knew how much privacy meant to her and Gekin, and Agache had always tried to allow for them to have as much time alone as possible. She could be as considerate in return.

“We should continue on. We still have a long journey ahead of us.”

“Perhaps we should stop for the night.”

“It is not even midday.”

“So?” The queen laughed, wrapping her arms around Agache’s neck. “It will be night, and we both enjoy the nighttime more than the rest of the day. Why not sleep now and wake up when it is night? Or we could not sleep and spend the night together as well…”

He smiled, shaking his head. “You are far too tempting, niniamant.”

“Not tempting enough, though. You are about to make us press on.”

“Anokii wants to be back with Gekin.”

“I know, but she can go ahead without us if she wants. I think we deserve a day’s respite from all we endured before we left my homeland and before we return to our obligations in your kingdom.” The queen stepped up to kiss him, just a gentle one right on his cheek. “Please. We have not had much chance to be alone since we married, and there will be so many distractions, so many responsibilities… We do not have to abandon them, but can we not have one day for ourselves?”

“I do not know that we can as the situation in the kingdom is—”

“I say you may as well stay.”

“Gekin!” Anokii cried, smiling as she ran toward her husband. She had not expected him, thought that she had to get back to the castle before she would be able to hold him again, and this was a wonderful surprise.

“It was too long to wait. I got impatient.”

“You are such a fool.”

“Always, niniamant, always, but only for you.”

Author’s Note: One deceptive king, a major omission and assumption, and a subplot that refused to be denied all come together to create this part. I wrote it out of order, almost pulled it several times, and in the end, it stayed with some alterations to make it fit better.

“I think you care about them a great deal.”

“The Nebkasha? Yes, Father, I do. I admire them. Their survival after so many years of oppression and hardship, their ability to work against the king without causing civil war and lots of bloodshed, the way that they care for each other and love each other—Oh, if you saw Gekin and Anokii and the way they look at each other, the way they touch… They are people to envy, sharing something so wonderful that everyone should want it.” Jis shook her head. She let out a breath, hoping her cheeks did not betray any sort of color. “I suppose now you will say I should not come to the negotiations. I have exposed my bias, and I cannot act for our people. I would give too much to them.”

“I fear you already have.”

“What, the land? You know none of our people are willing to dwell there, and they are giving us a fair price for it. That is not wrong. They deserve a life without the horrible heat, a place where they do not have to be punished for who they are.”

Her father smiled at her, lifting her head. “Yes, you are a queen, aren’t you? The needs of the people are your concern.”

“I—I was not a true queen, and you know this. Stop calling me that. It is… it is an insult coming from you. You bartered me off and used my loyalty to you and the esibani to do it, you gave me in the place of Zaze when she should have to face the consequences of who she is just once, and you still have no idea what I went through at the king’s hands.”

Her father shook his head. “I mean it as high praise, daughter, and I hope you see that someday.”

She glared at him. She doubted she’d ever forgive him for any of this, but before she could tell him that, the doors opened, and Agache stepped in, followed by his cousin. Anokii had removed her cloak, and Jis was disgusted to realize her father was attracted to the other woman. “She’s married—and she’d never betray Gekin.”

“Zaze is quite wrong about them. They have a certain… appeal.”

“You are revolting.”

She wondered if Agache had heard her as he crossed toward them. His manner was polite, but no more than that. She thought him rather distant instead of how he had been the day before. “I do hope we can resolve the remainder of our mutual concerns today. I regret delaying the proceedings yesterday, but I was having trouble concentrating.”

“How is your arm today? Do not lie now.”

“Better, and you may ask my cousin if you think I am lying. She will tell you I am not.”

Anokii grimaced. “It is not much improved, but yes, there is an improvement, so he is not lying. He is a bit better.”

“Good,” Jis said, smiling. She felt her father’s hands on her shoulders and looked up at him with a frown. What was this? He did not need to touch her—he should not touch her, not with how angry he kept making her.

“I think we must include a clause that will ensure that we… allies will trust each other,” her father said, and she tried to pull herself free only to be tugged backward. “There is, of course, one way this is traditionally done. The oldest sort of alliance. Marriage.”

Agache drew in a breath. Anokii placed her hand on his good arm, and he covered her hand with his as he nodded, though he did not look at all pleased. “That may be necessary.”

Jis frowned. That she did not care for, even if she had been more or less fortunate to be that bride for the first treaty. Now it would be Zaze, wouldn’t it? Oh, how her sister would hate that. Not that she’d be marrying a Nebkasha. She’d get a Biskane and hate that just as much. “Your new leader would agree to this? He wants one of the princesses as a wife?”

Agache laughed. “No.”

Her frown deepened. “No? You just said it might be necessary, but if your leader is not willing to marry one of the princesses—”

“I want you for my queen.”

“Your queen?” She felt sick. She could not do that again. She refused to be a part of that bargain, even for peace between their lands. “Agache, I do not know who ended up gaining power after the king and Malzhi died, but I am not going to marry anyone just because I was married to the king and—”

“I want you for my wife. That is the only term under which such an alliance would be possible.”

She stared at him. “You…”

He nodded. “I am the king now. Did you forget that I had royal blood? They did not all rally behind me, but they did eventually concede after more bloodshed between my opposers eliminated those supporting them. Without enough support, they could no longer fight, could not gain any advantage or power. A few of them died themselves. I think we all saw that there was no reason to let the killing continue. It was not a celebrated thing, but in the end, they named me king.”

She swallowed. “It… I hadn’t forgotten, but I did not think you wanted to rule.”

“I don’t want to be king, but I will do what is best for my people—all of them. I represent both sides, carry the blood of both nations, and therefore I have an obligation to them both. I know that I am not what some of them want, but they have been willing to accept my leadership thus far.”

“I am glad.”

“You do not seem that glad to me.”

She tried to force a smile. “It is… That is… I did not think you… We… I would not have thought you would want me, not after… This isn’t about releasing me from my vows as an esibani, is it? You do not have to marry me for that. You don’t.”

He frowned. “I had, I thought, been too clumsy and obvious with how I felt, with feelings I had no right to feel. I am not sure how you could not know the way I felt, Jis. I have slipped from the beginning, calling you my esibani, considering you a friend… My curiosity began when we traveled together, when you betrayed depths that your half-sister had never shown before. All the times she was present for the negotiations, she was quiet, sullen, and her opinions lacked comprehension. I saw the differences then, since you had removed your cloak, and yes, I suspected the switch, so when I escaped, I did see a need to watch you. I did, on occasion. I saw the esibani training and much more. A part of me knew that when I went to see you, I wasn’t just visiting an ally. I could have sent Anokii to get you or give you word in advance, but I always wanted to go myself. I wanted to see you. That… It was… foolish. Anokii had told me to find a reason to keep living and fighting. I had not thought I wanted any such thing, and to find it in you was… actually quite unpleasant. I did not want to be in love with a woman I knew I could not have, a woman I knew I had to use to free my people and could end up dead because of my plans and manipulations, even my affection. You were married. I did not want to be attracted to you, not even a little. I hated myself for it. I still do. I am not proud of what I felt, but I cannot deny it. I loved you, and that was why I tried to send you away, why I had to send you away, for both our sakes.”

She could not find the words she wanted. She had so many things to say to him now, but she did not know how. She needed to tell him that he was not alone, that she had fallen and betrayed herself and her vows as well. She had not broken them, not by deed, but in spirit, yes, and she hated it as much as he did.
“I…”

He took a step back. “If you do not want to accept the terms of the negotiations, we can negotiate others. I would only ask that you excuse me for a moment—”

She rushed forward, unwilling to let him leave. She might not have the words, but she knew that she was not going to let go. She grabbed hold of his tunic and kissed him, holding him in place. They were not under the influence of any eclipse, nor was it all that dark in this room, but she swore she saw that same glow to him, and she could not help smiling as she did. This was them. This was how it felt to be who they were, feeling as they did, being in love, and it was… wonderful. She knew it should not be, not after the wrong they’d done, but she did not think that she had ever experienced a more perfect moment, though she would also hope there would be more to come. Perhaps they did not deserve it, but that did not mean that she did not want it.

She pulled back, needing to breathe and to speak. “You were not alone. I… I felt things I should not as well, and I do not know that it is right even now that I am free, but… I accept. I want to marry you.”

“Zigaime, niniamant.” He laughed, the slight glow to his features shifting in color as he did. “I sound so stupid. I am very clumsy at this. I have never been in love before.”

She shook her head. No, he was nothing of the sort—not stupid and not clumsy. “I do not think you are stupid or clumsy. I am glad to be your first—hopefully your only love.”

“I should think you would be, even given my likeliness to outlive you.”

She thought of his words about the dragon blood and the king’s ancestors. “How old are you?”

He smiled. “I cannot tell you that. Anokii would be very displeased.”

“Why?”

“I’m older than she is.”

“Liar.”

He grinned and kissed her again, and Jis decided she didn’t care how old he was. She wanted to spend her life with him. That was all that mattered.

Author’s Note: Agache would, of course, not travel without his cousin. She would never have allowed that to happen.

“My lady.”

“Anokii,” the queen said, and the maid surprised herself with how pleased she was to see the warmth of the other woman’s greeting. “Oh, I am glad you traveled with him—though with his stubbornness and injuries, how could you not? He might not have made it without you.”

She laughed, knowing her cousin hated the truth of the queen’s words. “You are correct. He should not have come. Yet I think if it had been anyone other than him, these negotiations would not have been successful.”

“I believe my father will be persuaded to give your people the land near the border. The Nebkasha can be free at last.”

Anokii smiled, tempted to embrace the other woman, despite the difference in their station. She looked to Agache as he sat down on his bed, taking off his boots. He rubbed at his neck, and Anokii had to check and see if his skin had burned. He had chosen not to wear his cloak to the negotiations—a decision she’d disliked, but he was determined to enjoy the freedom that came with the absence of a second sun.

“Where is Gekin?”

“He could not come. Someone had to remain that could be trusted, and that was Gekin. I regret that he could not be here—I know he was concerned for you after he left you here.”

The queen’s hand touched her side. “I… I have recovered. I would thank him for bringing me here, except I am not so certain here is where I want to be.”

“Are you a prisoner here?”

“No. It is just… I no longer feel the same about my home and my role as I did. I have been… too independent to return to the role of an esibani, not wanting to follow orders. I have grown quite angry with my father, and I fear shall soon quarrel with him in a way that cannot be undone.”

“If we are able to get our land, perhaps you could join us there.”

“Oh, Anokii, I would… Except I have taken oaths of loyalty, and my vows, at least, keep me here.”

Anokii turned to Agache. Had he not asked before? “Surely we could include a release from your vows as a part of the treaty. I don’t even know that they should be able to keep you—you were our queen, after all.”

“Zaze was supposed to be your queen. My replacement of her dishonored the treaty, and I am not a queen here. I am only Jis, the esibani assigned to protect Zaze.”

“Zaze does not deserve you,” Agache said, pushing up his sleeve. The queen—Jis—winced as she saw the wound. “I am starting to believe that will never heal.”

Anokii shook her head, going for the herbs that she had brought with her. He should not have forced them to travel at such a pace, but she knew that he did not want to be gone from the castle for any longer than was necessary. His absence could send their country back into chaos. Were it not for the importance of these negotiations, he should not have come at all.

“It will. You need to rest more.”

Jis nodded. “I should go. I fear I have stayed here too long already, and I will lose what credibility I have as a negotiator if I seem too partial. Zaze already thinks that I am biased, and I admit I am after all your people did for mine and for me personally, but they cannot be allowed to know that.”

“It is not that we do not appreciate all that you did as well,” Anokii told her. “Without you, what we have now might not have been possible.”

“No, it would not have been,” Agache said. He closed his eyes. “Do you want us to ask for your release, Jis? You deserve your freedom as much as we do.”

The queen’s eyes shone, but she shook her head before any tears might fall. “No. That is not necessary. I will see you tomorrow at the negotiations.”

She opened the door and slipped out, shutting it behind her before either of them could speak. Anokii frowned. She stopped herself from giving the herbs to her cousin. “Why did you not tell her—”

“The choice is hers to make. She is under no obligation to join us, and she might find she did not feel as though she belonged there, either. If she decides it is what she wants, she is welcome to join us and I will negotiate for her release if need be. If not… Then she is free to remain.”

“I think she is miserable here, Agache, and she may be too stubborn and dutiful to ask for release even if it is what she desperately wants. You may have to do it for her.”

“Perhaps. We shall see what tomorrow is like.”