She was woken up that morning by voices and footsteps outside her door. A loud knock followed not long after. Her maid Eudemas rushed out of the adjoining room, tying the strings of her morning robe hurriedly while glancing at Vara with concern.
Vara sat up in a similar confusion. Quickly throwing on a robe, she nodded for Eudemas to open the door. What she saw on the other side made her blood run cold.
Four soldiers were each holding a corner of a large cloak, and on that cloak was Iason.
Or... what looked like Iason.
His face was covered in bruises and dried up blood, and Vara had no doubt those bruises extended to the rest of his body.
Behind her, Eudemas gasped and covered her mouth.
"He is alive, Vee," Iolaus appeared in her vision and placed a hand on her shoulder, "he's just unconscious. Whoever did this to him got him good. He was left for dead in an alley. I don't know how long he's been there before we found him."
"Quick," Vara broke free for her shock, "My bed is still warm. Eudemas, warm water and clean linnens. And those herbal oils."
Eudemas nodded and hurried to retrieve the items.
"I have already sent for a physician," Iolaus said, "I will wait for him and direct him here." Vara barely noticed his retreat. She was directing the soldiers to carry Iason towards her bed and bring up food and water.
"But, my lady," one of the soldiers scratched his neck awkwardly, "we can't just leave him here with you. It's not right for a lady to be alone..."
Vara held up a hand to stop him. "He is my guard," she pointed out, "I have been alone with him on numerous occasion. It will be fine. Leave him here. I'll take care of him. Go eat. You must be weary of searching all night. I can manage here."
When the soldiers still hesitated, Vara narrowed her eyes. "Now," she said.
They quickly bowed and retreated.
Vara turned to Iason and bit her lip. Carefully she leaned over him. At least he was still breathing.
When Eudemas returned, Vara waved her over. "Help me."
Eudemas placed the bowl with water and the linnens on a nearby table and walked over to the bed. Together they removed the cloak from underneath Iason and only now did Vara recognize it as belonging to Iolaus.
"Help me remove this," Vara said while opening the clasp of Iason's tunic.
Eudemas bit her lip. "Shouldn't we wait for the physician? The soldiers were right, my lady. This isn't something you should be doing. There is a half-naked man in your bed!"
"There is a half-naked wounded man in my bed," Vara replied pointedly, "if you don't wish to help me, then I'll do it myself."
Eudemas looked hurt. "Of course I'll help. I just don't want people to have more reason to talk behind your back. If only you knew what they were saying..."
"I can imagine," Vara said, "and it doesn't matter. What matters now is Iason." She had managed to undo his tunic and paled at the sight of the bruises that marred his ribs. "Who would do this?"
Eudemas dipped the linnen in the water and carefully began cleaning away the dried blood. "Robbers most likely," she said, "he is lucky they left him alive."
Vara narrowed her eyes. "They'll pay for this. The king will hear of it." She took a strip of linnen herself and cleaned Iason's face.
"The physician is here, my lady," Eudemas said.
Vara stood and turned.
"My lady," the man bowed. He turned his eyes to Iason. "Please leave me alone with him while I examine him. The lady's eyes should not bear witness."
"Come Vara." It was Iolaus who gently tugged her outside. Once in the hallway he steadied her to look at him. "Vee," he said seriously, "I don't think it was a robbery. His sword was gone, but he still had his purse. A robber would have taken it, even if there were only a few coins. Besides, Iason is a trained soldier. I have seen him fight. He is good. He wouldn't be so easily overpowered."
Vara felt the color drain from her face. "What are you saying?" she whispered, though deep down she already knew.
Iolaus confirmed her fears. "I think he was targeted purposely. Someone was after him. Vee, someone means to send a message."
...
Zara narrowed her eyes and glared at the woman maliciously. This girl had taken her place to warm Darius' bed? There was nothing special about this girl and she appeared to be just as empty headed as Ariane.
Zara scoffed at the sight of the flowers in the girl's hand. Such a child, amusing herself with decorating the palace when she could have everything money could buy. She was so... common. Zara almost felt sorry for her former husband.
Almost.
He got what he deserved. His offspring would be weak.
"Careful darling," a musical voice rang at her ear, "you will have wrinkles if you keep glaring like that."
Zara turned around and directed her glare at the harem girl that had spoken. "How dare you talk to me like that?!"
The girl, whose name Zara hadn't bothered to learn, only laughed out loud. "I'll speak to you in any way I like, Zara of the Eastern Planes. You don't outrank us anymore. We are all equal here." She made a wide gesture around the room. Several women were sprawled out on recliners, playing an instrument, braiding each other's hair, drawing pictures. Some of them laughed at the girl's words.
None of them cared much for Zara. She had always looked down on them and they enjoyed it that she had fallen from her pedestal.
"Don't compare yourselves to me," Zara snarled, "I'm better than you and he'll realize it soon enough. He'll beg me to come back."
It only caused more laughter.
"Prince Darius? Beg?" one of the women spoke amused, "oh, he may beg, but to his new wife. I hear he is quite taken with her." She giggled.
"And how would you know that?" another woman asked, but her voice was laced with curiosity.
Her friend smiled deviously. "I don't kiss and tell. A girl needs to have her secrets."
Zara sneered. "You mean you sleep with one of the guards. Or perhaps a servant. What will the king say if he finds out? You're not allowed to involve yourself with other men."
The woman laughed deviously. "Oh Zara, you amuse me. But go ahead. Inform him. See what he will do. Who is to say it was not the king himself that told me?" she flashed Zara a challenging smile.
"Tch," Zara scoffed, "do what you will. I care not."
"Of course you do," the woman answered and she laughed, "but you lost your chance when you refused prince Darius his heir."
"Foolish child," Zara sneered, "why would I want to birth children only for them to be taken away? Why should I let a man dictate my life for me?"
"Yes, because your life is so much more fulfilling now," another harem girl spoke. Laughter followed her words.
Zara gritted her teeth and glared outside again. That wench that had replaced her was now talking to a servant. Somewhere close by, a guard was positioned against a wall, watching the scene closely.
Zara scowled. She wasn't allowed to leave the harem, but Darius still found it necessary to protect his new wife from her. Even if she wanted to harm the girl, suspicion would immediately fall on Zara. And Zara had no doubt there wouldn't be any investigation. She would be charged and sentenced. And Darius would just find another girl to wed. Probably one of this one's sisters. Harming the girl would gain her nothing, so it wasn't worth the effort.
She would have to find other ways to amuse herself.
She would just bide her time.
...
Vara sat silently on the edge of the bed, watching the rise and fall of Iason's chest.
The physician had assure her he would live and would wake up soon. He was out of danger, but would need time to recuperate. Bed rest, hearty food and plenty of water. In a few days' time he could try and walk around again. His wounds had been treated. Luckily nothing seemed to be broken.
A hand landed on her shoulder. "Eat something, my lady," Eudemas urged softly, "you haven't even touched the food. You heard the physician. He will be just fine. Iason wouldn't approve of you neglecting yourself."
Vara sighed and accepted the food her friend handed her. "I should have searched for him sooner."
"You couldn't have known, my lady," Eudemas said, "it isn't your fault."
In the bed, Iason stirred. A groan escaped his lips and his eyes fluttered open.
"Iason?" Vara asked softly and she leaned over him concerned.
His hazy eyes settled on her. "My lady?" he asked confused, "what has happened? Where am I?"
Vara let out a relieved sigh. At least he was coherent. "Shh. Don't move too much. Just stay down." She bit her lip. "You were attacked. Do you know who it was? Did you see?"
Iason frowned. Attacked? Yes, he remembered now, though the memories weren't entirely clear and his head was hurting. In fact, that wasn't all that was hurting. His hand moved to his ribcage, which was tightly bound. He could only imagine what his face looked like. He hurt in places he didn't know could hurt.
"Iason?" Vara asked again, drawing his attention back to her.
His focus became clearer and his eyes took in his surroundings. "Where am I?"
"You're safe," Vara said, "do you remember what happened?"
"This is your room," Iason said startled, "your bed. My lady... this is... I should not be here. It is not right."
"Don't worry about that," Vara said, "are you hungry? Are you in pain? The physician left some medicine for you."
"I'll be alright, my lady," Isaon said, "I'll get back to my duties now."
"You will not!" Vara said, "you need to rest! Don't make me order you!"
"But this is your bed," Iason argues weakly.
Vara shook her head. "I'm not using it right now. Stay. Rest. I'll have food send up."
Iason briefly closed his eyes. "My head hurts," he muttered.
Vara stood up and took some of the powder the physician had left. Carefully she mixed it with water and handed it to Iason. "Drink this." She gently supported his head.
Iason drank the medication and sighed. He placed his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes again. The events of the previous day came back to him more clearly now. The laughter as they hit and kicked him, the vile words they directed at him, the subtle threat... Iason swallowed difficulty. "You should release me from your service, my lady."
"Don't be silly," Vara said, "you'll be back on your feet in no time. Until then I will just remain in the palace or accompany Ariane."
Iason sighed. This was going to be difficult. "I... I am not suited to be your guard."
"That is ridiculous, Iason," Vara said, "this could have happened to anyone. It doesn't make you any less of a soldier. You have always guarded me well." Iolaus' warning replayed in her mind. "Do you know who did this to you?" she asked softly, "we will find them. They will be punished."
Iason looked away. "It does not matter."
"Of course it matters!" Vara said, "you were attacked! You could have died!" She looked at him more closely. "You know who it was," she realized, "tell me, please."
Iason sighed again. He wondered if she was aware of her hand caressing his cheek and what it did to him.
Of course she didn't.
No matter how smart she was, she was also completely oblivious.
"Telling you who attacked me won't change anything. I am still not suited to serve you."
"Why?" Vara asked quietly. There was a slight tremble in her voice. The thought of losing him was suddenly unbearable.
Iason looked at her with a pained expression that had nothing to do with his injuries. "Are you really going to make me say it? I didn't think you so cruel. I am sure you must know by now. I know lord Prias spoke to you."
Vara shook her head slightly. "That doesn't matter to me."
"It matters to me," Isaon said quietly.
Vara bit her lip and looked at her lap. "Iason..."
"Don't," he begged, "don't say anything. I know your heart is with someone else. Just..." He sighed again. "Please, my lady, don't make this so hard on me."
Vara looked at him. "I always thought I could never love anyone as I love Cyrus. And perhaps I can't..."
"My lady," Iason protested.
"No, let me talk," Vara cut him off, "I don't know if I can feel that way about anyone else, but I do know that Cyrus and I are not meant to be. I have always known that. When you didn't come back yesterday... I thought you had left."
"My lady, I would never..."
"Will you let me finish!" Vara snapped. Upon seeing his startled face, she averted her eyes. "Sorry."
He shook his head. "You don't need to apologize."
"But I do," Vara said, "I thought you had left when I should have known you would never do that. You are a man of honor, you are my friend, and I care for you. When they carried you in this morning, I was afraid you would die. I was afraid I had lost you. And I would never be able to tell you how much you have come to mean to me. I rely on you. And I would hate to see you go, but... I don't want you to be unhappy. So if staying in my service is making you unhappy then I will speak to the king, for him to release you from your duty." It seemed as if everyone was abandoning her.
Iason looked at her sadly. She wasn't making him unhappy at all. "I'm not unhappy," he said.
Vara blinked confused. "Then why do you want to leave?"
Iason sighed. "A guard that has feelings for his protégé... and a lady at that..."
"Then don't be my guard," Vara said, "be my friend. I need friends more than I need guards." She looked at him pleadingly, "please."
Iason sighed again. He couldn't deny her anything. His hand seemed to move on its own as it cupped her cheek. "I will always be your friend." The relieved smile she offered him made him forget about all his pain.
...
"Maybe you should listen to her," Iolaus walked beside Cyrus as the prince inspected the troops that were going to the front.
Cyrus glanced at him. "You want me to take her absurd idea seriously? She thinks someone wants to harm her child."
"Your child," Iolaus pointed out, "and her fear might be justified. She is carrying the heir to the throne of Zeir."
"Who would target her?" Cyrus scoffed, "she is protected in the palace. She has you. Nothing is going to happen to her."
"Maybe not," Iolaus answered, "still, why not appease her? There is no harm in giving her an extra guard or two. You wouldn't want her to be in the same position as Vara's guard."
"Say what?" Cyrus stopped walking and gave his friend his full attention. "What are you talking about?"
Iolaus sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "So he didn't tell you." He should have known the king wouldn't inform his son.
Cyrus narrowed his eyes and grabbed Iolaus by the collar of his tunic. "Something better not have happened to Vara."
Iolaus pushed his friend away. "Vara is fine. Calm yourself, we are in public." Already some of the soldiers were stealing glances in their direction. Among them were a few of the men that had helped carry Iason inside.
He leaned closer to Cyrus so their conversation would be private. "Vara gave her guard the day off, but he did not return. So I took a few men to try and find him. It took us all night, but when we did, he was severely beaten. The physician said he was lucky to be alive."
Cyrus blinked. "What does a robbery have to do with my wife?"
"It wasn't a robbery," Iolaus stated, "his purse was still there, as well as the seal the marks him as a king's guardsman. Only his sword was missing."
"So they were after him specifically?"
"Perhaps not him," Iolaus said.
"You mean Vara?"
"Or you. Or Ariane. Or the royal family in general. So please take your wife seriously and have her guarded."
Cyrus gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. "Do you have any leads as to who did this?"
Iolaus shook his head. "Iason was still unconscious when I left him with Vara."
Abruptly, Cyrus turned and stalked away. Iolaus hurried after him before he could do something reckless again. "Cyrus stop!" he hissed, "you can't just go marching in there. There's been enough talk already. Focus on these soldiers. They are to be sent to fight at the border. Your duty right now is to make sure they are ready. You can talk to iason later. He needs his rest." Besides, he wanted to give Vara some peace and quiet. Perhaps she would finally allow herself to care for someone other than Cyrus. He had noticed the way she smiled at Iason. And he had certainly noticed the way he looked at her. Cyrus barging in there now wouldn't do any good.
He took Cyrus' shoulders. "Train your men. I will check up on Iason."
Cyrus gave a reluctant nod and watched his friend go. He would be patient for one more day, but he would get to the bottom of this. And whoever had done this would pay.
...
A hand fell on her shoulder and Vara looked up startled.
Lady Eurydice smiled down at her kindly. "Why don't you go back to him, child. Your mind is obviously not here. You've been staring at the wall for some time."
"Forgive me," Vara said, "I'm not good company today."
"You worry about that young man, don't you?" Eurydice said knowingly, "go sit with him, Vara. You won't insult us."
Vara sighed. "He is asleep. I don't want to disturb him. He needs rest so he can heal." She looked at Cyrus' grandmother. "Who would do such a thing?"
Eurydice shook her head sadly. "The world is a cruel place, child. Be glad he is still with us."
"I am," Vara said quietly, "I don't know what I would have done had he died."
"You love him," Eurydice stated with a tender smile.
Vara bit her lip and looked down at her lap. "I don't know," she admitted, "I care about him. And he makes me feel safe, but... it's not the same as it is with Cyrus."
"There are many gradations of love," Eurydice told her, "and sometimes we confuse one with the other. But all love needs to grow. Perhaps you should give it a chance."
Vara scoffed. "The king is never going to let me marry Iason. I might not care about status, but he certainly will."
"So you are not opposed to marrying him?" Eurydice asked amused.
Vara bit her lip. "I wouldn't mind it. I'm just afraid he'll grow to hate me if I can't give him what he wants."
Eurydice shook her head. "You shouldn't worry about things that might not happen. Talk to him. You will regret it if you don't."
"But the king..."
"I will handle Marcos," Eurydice winked at her, "go. Talk with your guard. You deserve to be happy."
...
Torcan placed the letter down with a sad smile on his face. He was happy Ariane would bear her husband his heir, but once again he was reminded of what he would never have, a family of his own.
In that regard, he could relate to Vara. They both knew what it was like to long for something that would never be theirs.
He took a fresh sheet of paper and dipped his pen in ink. He wrote his best wishes for Ariane and Cyrus and how he hoped Vara would find her own happiness. He told her about Elora and how she was getting adjusted to life in Tirèze. He even wrote how he believed Elora had a good influence on Darius' moods.
Finishing his letter with the hope of hearing from her again soon, he sighed sadly. He wondered what his life would have been like if he hadn't been kidnapped by Balor tribes. Heir to his father's house. Perhaps a wife and children. What did he have now? A guardsman position at his cousin's house.
Not that he was ungrateful. He was thankful to be here. Sometimes he just wished to have back the life he had lost.
But there was no use in dwelling on the past. There was only looking forward. He would fulfill his duties with pride.
...
"My lady shouldn't jest," Iason looked at her stunned and confused.
Vara sighed and looked away. "Forget I said anything." She made to stand up, but Iason grabbed her wrist.
"How can I forget? You ask me to marry you?"
"No," Vara said, "I asked if you wished to marry me. I wouldn't want you to do something you're not comfortable with. I certainly wouldn't want you to do something you might regret. I just wondered if you might consider it."
Iason struggled to sit up and bit back his pain. He looked at her cautiously. "Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"
"It's not sudden," Vara countered, "I... I do care for you. I've just been so focused on getting away from this place and avoiding Cyrus that I haven't realized what was right in front of me. I needed others to point it out to me. I feel like such a fool."
Iason gently shook his head. "You shouldn't do this just because you learned of my feelings."
"I'm not," Vara said seriously, "I... I want to find out what it is I'm feeling. I... my...this is embarrassing." She ran a hand through her hair. On her way over she had practiced what to say, but now every word sounded silly and awkward.
"No," Iason placed his hand over hers and smiled at her warmly. "It is nothing to be embarrassed about. If anything, I should be the one that's embarrassed. That you would even consider marrying me is an honor..."
Vara shook her head. "I'm nothing special, iason."
Iason moved his hand to cup her cheek. "To me you are," he said seriously.
Vara sighed and looked at him hesitantly. "Will you consider? I don't need an answer now. We can just see how this works out, since you're not my guard anymore but just my friend."
Iason shook his head in wonder. "People will talk. What will the king think of me? What about the prince?"
"Lady Eurydice will speak with king Marcos," Vara told him, "and I will handle Cyrus. It doesn't concern him. He has no say in this. I decide my own life."
"Are you certain this is what you want, my lady?" Iason questioned, "there is not much I can offer you. I am only a middle son. My family are farmers. You might change your mind."
Vara laughed softly. "That doesn't matter. We can live in a tent for all I care. I won't change my mind. But you might."
"Never," Iason promised. There was a faint smile on his lips. "Now that I have your attention, I won't let you go."