Accorded Nobility Read online

  “No one at the party knew?” Eva Silvertouch asked, her hand on Fredrick’s. She’d heard pieces of the story, but not all of it. Part of her was glad she’d stayed at Sean’s for the party, even with the attack that had happened there.

  “Only his allies,” Flamehair said.

  “I started to worry when I didn’t see any of her guards when we went in, but I never guessed he’d have gone so far,” Mageeyes said.

  “What happened at the party, and at Sean’s manor?” Joseph asked. “I know his gardener wasn’t at the party, right?”

  “Relax, and I will tell you,” Mageeyes said.

  “I’ll explain the manor,” Sean said, “when the time comes. Go ahead, Amedee.”

  “First, we started to make allies…” Mageeyes began.

  ~*~*~

  The table was silent when they’d finished telling them everything.

  “Sean, what do you plan to do?” Joseph finally asked.

  “What I’d planned before the party: I’ll head to Accord.”

  “When?” Sam asked, wondering if she’d see her daughter before they left.

  “A few days at least, I think,” Sean said.

  “Yes. You will be summoned to the Lady’s manor on Threeday,” Mageeyes said. “She has to publicly acknowledge those who stood with her.”

  “Can we come over for dinner tomorrow?” Sam asked.

  Sean nodded. “Gladly, Mom.”

  Sam’s lips quivered, and she sniffled. “Thank you.”

  “Your wives are powerful,” Knox said. “What are you going to do about Lomar?”

  Sean looked up from the table. When he met Knox’s eyes, the large man flinched back. Most of the people at the table reacted similarly when they saw the black-white flames that briefly flared in his eyes. “Reap him.”

  “He will have Lady Sharpeyes’ backing in that,” Mageeyes said quickly. “Sean, wait until Threeday.”

  Sean exhaled, then stood. “I will, Amedee... I’m going home.” Swallowing, he looked over the room, seeing a hint of fear on the faces of some of his friends. “Thank you, all of you, for being my friends.”

  Everyone stood, saying goodbye to him. The few who’d been fearful felt foolish for doing so. Sean had never once hurt a friend— he’d only ever helped them. They shook his hand a bit harder and hugged him a little tighter to show they weren’t afraid anymore.

  Chapter Four

  Sean was a little amused at what had happened when he’d gotten home. When he’d offered for the staff to accompany them to his plane, they’d all immediately agreed. The three paired Fairies who’d lost their other halves asked to go, as did Ven, Venn, and Onim. Then, Mizuki asked if she could go. Myna agreed instantly and Sean didn’t object, but he hadn’t thought she’d join them in bed.

  He was grateful that she was on the far side of the bed, as far from him as possible. Myna was beside her, but it was still touching his squick-factor to have his mother-in-law in bed with them.

  Rumia joined them, lying next to Myna and Hallie. The other staff lay around the bed like they had before, none of them saying or giving outward appearances of being envious of Rumia. Sean was grateful for that— his heart warmed a little more for the rest of them, knowing they understood why. The twins hadn’t even winked at him this time, as the mood had stayed somber all day.

  Once everyone was settled, Felora gathered her power, then pushed it out in a rush to gather them all and pull them under. Sean watched with Mage Sight as she did. He saw her energy spool out and into the air where it settled over everyone, including him, pulling him into slumber and across the planes.

  Sean got out of bed the moment he was aware. He didn’t hesitate— he rushed out of the bedroom and down the stairs. The knock came as soon he came off the last stair, and he’d made it to the door before anyone else even got to the front room.

  “Sean?” Chastity asked from the hallway.

  “Visiting again. I need to go to the bog, and I asked if they wanted to come,” Sean explained as he let everyone into the manor.

  “I worry every time...” Marjorie exhaled.

  “I think we all do,” Lilly said from the stairs. “Oh, Onim? And more? We didn’t expect the fairies. Omin!”

  Omin shot into the room, grabbing Onim in a tight embrace. The two flew around the room in an aerial dance, bringing sad smiles to everyone’s faces.

  “Their plaques are already up here?” Ven asked, flying over to the memorial wall.

  “As soon as we add them,” Fiona said. She glanced up as the other dead Fairies reunited with their paired. “Did we do it right?”

  “Yes,” came the chorus of agreement from the deceased.

  There was a howl outside, and Sean froze in place. “Ursa?”

  “We’ve had a few show up,” Chastity said as she hugged Andrea.

  Sean stepped outside to see a handful of cuons running toward him, Ursa in the lead. Stepping off the porch, Sean waited for the hounds to get to him. They tried to knock him over, but he stood firm as he patted each of them, even the ones he didn’t know the names of.

  “He really does love animals,” Helga said softly.

  “One of the things I always wanted in a husband,” Aria smiled.

  “The others are from the Lord’s manor?” Hallie asked.

  “Yes,” Aria nodded. “They were part of Cuander’s pack.”

  “I’m so glad you all came here...” Sean cried as he dropped to a knee and hugged Ursa tightly. “You will have a great home.” The others snuffled him, and he switched from hound to hound. “Yes, all of you.”

  “Ursa,” Fiona said from the porch, “Caleb mourned you. His cry went out over the entire city.”

  Ursa chuffed and sat down, lifting her head and howling. The other cuons sat and picked up the howl. Sean swallowed, then lifted his own head and matched them. The cuons faded one by one until his cry ended.

  “Yes... all the pack who serve will be here. Maybe not more of yours,” he said, looking at the Lady’s hounds, “but there will be others in the future.”

  Ursa chuffed, then stood.

  Sean stood, as well, and that’s when he noticed the major change to his plane. Beyond the front gate stood a forest. Blinking slowly, he stared at the trees. “Felora?”

  Felora went to his side, looking at it with him. “Your power grows, Sean. That means your planes will grow, as well. Curious that it’s a forest, though... I should talk with Mother.”

  “Sean?” Rosa asked, coming around from the back of the manor. “Is everything okay?” The tremor of fear in her voice was clear.

  “We’re fine,” Rumia said, rushing outside “We’re just visiting again.”

  Rosa exhaled a shaky breath. “Good. I see what Marjorie means about worrying when you show up.”

  “Not my intent,” Sean said softly. “I was coming to visit the bog mostly, but everyone else wanted to see the manor. I’ll be heading that way in—”

  “Hello?” The single word carried from the open front gate.

  Sean spun, and all eyes went to the figure paused just inside the grounds. The hounds chuffed, but didn’t seem fussed by the person there.

  “N… Nola?!” Sean asked in shock.

  “MacDougal,” Nola said, then looked back at the woods before slithering farther into the yard. “Where am I?”

  “My... home,” Sean said, shocked to see the Lesser Naga.

  Nola paused, frowning. “But... I was in Sara’s rooms… fighting…! He poisoned her!”

  “Easy,” Sean said, walking to her. “She’s safe now. I healed her.”

  Nola exhaled, slumping into a messy coil. “I died.”

  “Yes... Umm… did you pray to me?” Sean asked awkwardly.

  Nola looked up at him when he paused a few feet away. “After our last sparring session, your maids told me they all prayed to you, that there was an afterlife you created. My ancestors had stories of such, but most no longer believe them. After having met you, I felt it might be tr
ue. I didn’t pray, but I had a belief you might be able to manage it.”

  “It is as you can see,” Fiona said, leading the rest of his wives to stand behind him. “Are you speaking your native tongue?”

  Nola blinked at her slowly, her tongue flickering. “Yes, but so are you?”

  “I don’t know Lesser Naga,” Fiona said softly.

  “Then how…?”

  “Sean,” Felora said gently. “This is his plane. If he wants everyone to be able to communicate, it wouldn’t be hard for that to happen.”

  Nola bowed her head. “I cannot refute this. I wonder… is there room here, for me?”

  “Yes,” Lilly said, coming toward them. “I was going to tell Sean, but the cuons got his attention first. It’ll be easier to show you, anyway.”

  Everyone began to follow her, including Nola. Sean walked alongside her. “What were the woods like?”

  Nola looked back at the forest and shuddered slightly. “Memories of what life had been, from my earliest days to just before my death. It felt like I had to walk the path to be allowed to be here. I knew that a home awaited me if I could just keep moving forward.”

  As they went around the right side of the manor, Sean slowed. Another gate was set in the middle of the wall, though it was one that didn’t exist in the real world. Just beyond that gate stood several small homes.

  “They showed up after you left last night,” Lilly said. “I guess we know why now. I thought it was because of the cuons who came rushing into the yard, but they obviously don’t need houses. With Nola here, it makes more sense.”

  “Yes. Jefferson asked me if there’d be a place for him,” Sean said. “I can tell him there will be.”

  “I can stay here?” Nola asked.

  “As long as you want,” Sean said.

  “We have a lot of free time,” Lilly told Nola, “but we spar and train our Shaping. You’re more than welcome to join us.”

  “I like sparring,” Nola smiled.

  “Sean, do you think we’ll have armor and weapons like our wives?” Chastity asked from where she was holding Andrea.

  “Of course,” Sean said. “I’ll work on them. You said my workshop is here, right?”

  “Yes,” Chastity smiled.

  “I’ll stay for a while after I’m finished with the bog and work on them for you.”

  “Thank you, husband,” Chastity smiled, then bit her lip. “Could we talk you into staying for more?”

  “Oh, yes,” Andrea murmured, pulling Chastity to stand in front of her. “Please, Sean?”

  Sean rubbed at his chin. “We can try?”

  “Thank you, husband,” Lilly said, suddenly in his arms, kissing him passionately.

  ~*~*~

  Sean was bemused as he walked down the path toward the bog. He had only meant to refill Helga’s souls, get souls for Hallie and Aria, and talk to the damned. Now, he’d be making armor, weapons, and then… spending time with his wives in the bedroom.

  No idea if they’ll get what they want, but damned if I won’t try for them... Sean thought.

  Rumia trailed Myna, Mizuki, and the three Choosers. A part of her felt near floating that she would be able to tend to the bog again, even if just for a few minutes. It was tempered by the loss of her mother, though Felora had helped with the crushing loss and pain she’d felt.

  The trail between manor and bog was jarring. The two didn’t really connect— Rumia felt the small jolt when they crossed from one to the other. She watched the others and could see them all experiencing the same thing.

  “Master,” Myna asked, “the separation of manor and bog, is that intentional?”

  Sean nodded. “Just in case something goes wrong, those here will never be able to get to the manor.”

  “A wise precaution,” Mizuki said. “This place feels foreboding, as if I’m being judged.”

  “This is his plane for those who stood against him,” Helga said. “You can hear them asking for help and see their heads just above the peat.”

  Mizuki edged a little closer to the peat, and Myna stopped her from stepping on it. “Ah, yes. So many? Why did you stop me, daughter?”

  “The peat can only be walked on by his Soul Bonded and those he gives permission to,” Myna told her. “I’d rather not lose you here.”

  Mizuki stepped back. “Thank you.”

  “Rumia, Mizuki, you may both walk on the peat today,” Sean said. His eyes flared briefly and both felt the words sink into them. “I need to do what I don’t like doing.”

  “Felora will help if you need it,” Myna said softly, kissing his cheek. “Do as you need. I’ll show mother around to those you’re not speaking to.”

  “I’ll check on the plants, sir,” Rumia said, stepping onto the peat as if it was solid ground. Her shears were suddenly in her hand, and she started humming a melody as she walked. The song emanated a sense of peace to the others.

  “He’ll be near the tree,” Sean said simply as he headed that way. “The people I dislike the most have been closer to it.”

  “Sean, we can make refilling a little quicker, maybe,” Helga said.

  “What did you have in mind?” Sean asked, pausing a few feet into the bog.

  “Who here never wished to cross Sean MacDougal?” Helga announced.

  A cacophony of voices filled the air, but Sean felt only a handful or two who spoke truthfully. Helga nodded with a smile, also sensing them.

  “I felt them!” Hallie said excitedly. “The liars and the truthful.”

  “That was odd,” Aria said.

  “Take them,” Sean said. “Divide them equally.”

  Flashes of black-white flames sprang up, then surged into the three Choosers. They all exhaled a moment later, as if getting used to the feeling of the new souls.

  “We each have four souls, Sean,” Helga announced.

  “Okay. We’ll check to see if any others have found remorse after I speak to them.” The word held anger as he marched toward where he knew the three men would be.

  Sharpeyes and Solanice glared at Sean, but Carver’s face was a mask of pure terror.

  Sean came to a stop and crouched down to face the three men. “You all wronged me, my family, and my friends. Welcome to your just due.”

  “This is nothing,” Solanice sneered. “It must be the work of your mind-bending whore.”

  A throwing knife buried itself into Solanice’s head, killing the man. Sean looked back at Myna, who was seething.

  “Myna?” Sean asked her gently as the knife reappeared in her hand.

  “He will not speak of our wife that way, Master.”

  “Luckily, he can’t die here,” Sean said, turning back to watch Solanice heal. “I can torture you for ages. You can’t die here unless I wish it.”

  Solanice was quiet, his eyes wide as the realization of his position became clear to him. The man before him was a terror. Truestrike needed to be told, but he was powerless to warn anyone.

  “You can torture me, but I will never break!” Sharpeyes snarled. “I’ll get free, and when I—!”

  He was cut off when his face was suddenly covered by vines, and he was pulled under the peat.

  Carver began to sob hysterically as he watched Sharpeyes get pulled under. “No! No! It was Denmur, MacDougal! It was all Denmur!”

  Sean fixed him with burning eyes, smiling darkly. A second later, a head emerged from the bog, and the vines unwrapped from it. Denmur gasped as if he’d been holding his breath since he’d been pulled under. Chunks of peat dotted his face as he gasped.

  “Denmur, Carver says hello,” Sean chuckled darkly. “Tells me you were the real mastermind.”

  Denmur could just see Carver from his periphery. “Liar! You used my name, time and again, trying to curry my favor! Your daughter couldn’t even produce another heir for me!”

  Carver’s eyes were wide, but he quickly said, “I didn’t lie! She couldn’t produce an heir with a ball-less coward! Your son only enjoyed Evan’s company!
”