Divine Agreements, page 28
“Fuck you,” James coughed at Sean. He gave Myna a look, “I should consider it an honor that a cat admitted I was her equal.”
Myna growled for a second, then cleared her throat. “You are Master’s best friend, so I will allow it. I will warn you to never call another Feline Moonbound a cat. You’d lose body parts or your life.”
James met her eyes, then dipped his head in apology. “Understood. I will refrain from doing so in the future.”
“That’d be for the best,” Sean said. “I might like you as a friend, but I’m not adding you to my marriage.”
James barked a laugh. “Hard pass. As lovely as your wives are, I don’t feel right playing hide the salami with you.”
Felora’s eyes blazed, and everyone looked her way. She grinned and started to open her mouth to say something.
“No!” Sean cut her off. “The table stays clean, Fel. There will be no boy-love.”
Felora laughed, but made a locking motion to her lips.
“She’s into that?” James asked. “Fel— if you don’t mind me using your nickname— can you tell me about your mom?”
Felora giggled. “She’d break you.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” James grinned. “Besides, I’m sure since I’m the Huntsman, I might be a lot more resilient than you expect.”
“James, you’re going to have a rough enough time with Summer and Winter,” Sean said. “Trying to add a centuries-old Succubus might be a bad idea.”
“You say bad idea, I say fun for the rest of my life. Besides, this would let me become your stepdad.”
Sean groaned while the table laughed at his reaction.
“Seriously, though,” James said as he picked up his last piece of bacon, “I’ll take all the help you can give. Tomorrow morning, I plan to cook a new recipe with Glorina, Lona, and Mona, so just don’t schedule me for anything before breakfast. Other than that, push me to learn. Sean has a firm deadline, and you’re all going to be giving birth soon, so now’s the time to make it happen.”
“We’ll arrange it,” Fiona said. “Besides Hallie, who can take him to go learn now, we need to discuss who and when will help to make sure the Huntsman is ready to take up his mantle.”
“James,” Hallie said, standing up, “come with me, please.”
“Yes, ma’am,” James said.
Sean watched James go, then looked back at everyone else. “Ladies, please take a moment here or there to explain your lives from before to him? He’ll do better knowing how society is structured. While he’s going to be fine with the Bonds, he still hates clear oppression. He’ll be the chance for this world to rise up from where it is to something better.”
“We will,” Tiska said. “Everything we can do, we will.”
“Now, Helga will lead sparring, and Hallie is handling society,” Fiona said. “Who else wants to help him, and in what areas?”
~*~*~
James followed Hallie to the library. They took seats in the sitting area while the younger Fairies gathered for reading. “How many are in the clan?” James asked.
“A few thousand, at least,” Hallie said. “Give me a moment to pull down a book for them.”
“Sure.” James watched the Fairy children with a small smile.
“Now, let’s begin with Agreements and how those have shaped our world,” Hallie said.
“Before we do,” James said, “Sean’s story had undercurrents to it. Tell me about how society here is structured? He briefly mentioned that Myna wasn’t accepted as an equal, and that the clan formed because he gave them more. That’s something that I want to hear more about, first.”
Hallie gave him a pleased smile. “As worried about the Fairies as Sean?”
“Unlike Sean, I’m all for Bonds— willing, uncoerced Bonds. I don’t like that oppression is based on heritage. He and I have always agreed on that.”
“Very well. Messenger Fairies are not normally seen as equal to anyone; they are the lowest of the low. They have only ever found anything in service to others. Sean gave them equality, and that’s what has drawn the clan to him. My family had a small clan. While we treated them well, it was nowhere near how Sean does. Most don’t give them more than a small patch of roof and maybe some scraps from the kitchen.”
James grimaced. “And Moonbound?”
“They are treated better than the Fairies, but they are still considered near the bottom of the societal ladder. Only more exotic races, like Lesser Naga, are treated worse.”
“Got it… Sorry for the digression. Please teach me about Agreements.”
Hallie nodded. “Very well.” As she began explaining the world to him, she was smiling. It seemed that James might be exactly what the world needed: a strong personality who could help the Queens see how to make things better.
Chapter Forty
Sean was in the kitchen with James while the cooks bathed before breakfast. “Going to wait to start?”
“I want to show them the recipe,” James said. “It’s odd, Sean… I have this power and these abilities, and I know them already. They’re just… there in my head. It’s bizarre as shit.”
“I bet. At least you’re getting time to learn your foundation before meeting the Queens.”
“It’s for the best. I need to be able to meet them as an equal or near to. I get the feeling they’ll try to pressure me to make sure I can stand up to them.”
“That’s what I believe, too, which is why we’re doing what we are.”
“But a gathering here instead of the gardens? You know my dad was a landscaper; I’d love the hell out of the gardens.”
“Right under where they live?”
James exhaled. “I get that. It’s the only reason I’m not arguing about it. I have no idea how they haven’t figured it out yet, but I’m not going to flaunt myself right under their noses when I’m far from prepared.”
“It’d be nice to have the kids here before you go to face them, too.”
“Kids,” James chuckled. “I was always in the no-kids club. I guess I’m going to have two daughters eventually if this works out.”
“The cycle continues.”
“Life will find a way,” James said gravely, then changed the subject. “I’d like to meet your dragon, though… because, you know… dragon.”
“That’s fine. Let’s put it off for now, but before the Queens? Sure.”
“So all of your close allies are coming over after breakfast?”
“This is the time we normally walk the gardens with them. I’ll get the chance to read to the Fairies first, at least.”
“I saw them reading the other day. You read to them?”
“The children, yes. I’m getting my practice in.”
“Probably a good idea,” James agreed. “I think that’s one of the big things missing from this world— that level of family love. The bits I heard from Hallie really stood out to me.”
“That’s part of it. The rest is just the disregard the nobility has for anyone not in their ranks. Add in how they treat Moonbound and the rest, and it just gets so much worse.”
“It’ll be a big undertaking to change it, but if I’m unaging like the Queens, I’ll get it done.”
“Better you than me.”
James laughed. “You aren’t the man to deal with those two, especially not with your current family. I doubt Winter and Summer would make the compromises you would need to coexist.”
“I’m certain they wouldn’t. They would be pissed to have to wait for staff.”
“We both know they wouldn’t wait. They’d try to intimidate or kill them.”
“And the war began,” Sean said.
“Exactly.”
“What war?” Glorina asked, leading the sisters into the kitchen.
“The one we’ll never have, all because James is going to throw himself onto unexploded royalty for us,” Sean grinned.
“Fire in the hole,” James said, then grimaced. “It’ll be more like I’m the explosive they jump on.”
The cooks looked shocked and a little horrified at the idea.
“Sorry,” James laughed. “Come on over. We’re making happy hashbrowns today.”
“I’ll catch up to you later,” Sean said, heading for the cellar and his workroom.
“Yep.”
~*~*~
Breakfast had been a success: the cheesy, eggy hashbrowns with crumbled bacon mixed in had been declared delicious by the entire table. James was a little taken aback by the lack of ketchup; he hadn’t considered it until he asked for it after cooking. He promised to show the cooks how to make the condiment later, forgoing it for this meal. It wasn’t as if the hashbrowns truly needed it. It was just a habit for him.
Making his way upstairs, he went to the library. “I’m sure they’d be happy to have you read to them,” Sean told James as he opened the door. “Good morning.”
The chorus of “Good morning,” back from the young Fairies filled the air.
“James was hoping to read to you some today,” Sean said as the pair walked over to the desk. “Who’s turn is it to pick?”
“Mine!” one of the youngest Fairies said happily. “Can we hear stories from him, instead?”
James grinned. “I’d say yes, but if you’re children, I’m not sure some of them are appropriate.”
“Just none of your escapades,” Sean warned him.
“I want Sean stories,” the Fairy said. “You’re his friend, so you know some, right?”
“Ohhhh, yes,” James laughed, taking a seat. “I do have some Sean stories.”
Sean pulled over another chair, grumbling. “Keep it tame.”
“Of course, of course.” James grinned wider. “The first story is one that has stuck with both of us. Sean might have around a score of wives, but he was far from a ladies’ man before.”
Sean covered his face with one hand. “You’re such a jerk, James.”
“Sean and I were at a bar,” James chuckled. “The bartender was a beautiful woman…”
~*~*~
“Sean, it’s time to come downstairs,” Andrea said. “The guests will be showing up shortly.”
“Oh, thank the gods,” Sean said as he shot to his feet.
James laughed. “Too bad. The next one was a doozy.” James placed his hand on the desk. “Thank you for letting me spend time with you today.” The Fairies all leaned in, placing their hands in his.
“It was fun!” Arla laughed.
“We learned lots,” Jott snickered.
“So much that we didn’t know before,” Jutt grinned.
The others all chimed in, too.
“You all be good. I have to go meet Sean’s other friends,” James said. “Who’s his best male friend?”
“Winston,” Arla said. “They built the car together.”
“Why?” Sean asked.
“I’ve got to know who’s my competition in the bromance department,” James said seriously before laughing.
“You tease him just like his wives do,” Jutt snickered.
“I was his first true love,” James said sadly before sniffling. “Alas, he only liked women.”
“Cut that out,” Sean sighed. “You’ll give them the wrong idea.”
Cackling wildly, James headed for the door. “You never could take those jokes.”
“Who has a score of wives, and who has none?” Sean asked as he followed James.
James staggered, clutching his chest dramatically. “Oh, he cuts me to the quick! Maybe not as deep and wide as a church door, but it’s enough…”
“Shakespeare?”
“The classics are classics for a reason,” James shrugged. “I like some of the quotes, at least, even if some of the plays were just about idiots being idiots.”
“Fair enough.”
~*~*~
Sean introduced James to each of his friends as they arrived, but held off on the reveal until everyone was there. The last two to show up were Minerva and Commander Queensblood. Sean hadn’t expected them until Fiona told him a minute before they arrived.
“It was unexpected to be invited here and not the gardens,” Minerva said as she followed Sean to the ballroom.
“The reason why will be explained shortly,” Sean said. “You two were the last arrivals.”
“I had to shore things up before coming,” Queensblood sighed. “The Queens are digging into the guards. I am complying with their demands, but they are unhappy.”
“The fact that Sean is working on the Huntsman issue is what has them so anxious,” Minerva said. “How has that been going, Sean?”
“Funny that you should ask,” Sean chuckled as he opened the ballroom door. “Let me introduce you to my oldest friend.”
James was in the middle of the group, laughing as he chatted with everyone else. He always claimed to be an introvert, but he could socialize easily when needed. Sean knew that when things finished, James would faceplant hard; it was the cost of pushing outside of his comfort zone.
“James, our last two guests have arrived. High Lady Minerva Queensblood, Commander Illandril Queensblood, this is my oldest friend from Earth, James Giardino. James, Minerva and Illandril.”
James stepped forward, shaking Queensblood’s hand with a grin before gently taking Minerva’s hand and kissing the back. “A pleasure to meet you both,” he grinned. “Your dress is a wonder, Minerva. Classy, yet showing that you’re not someone to be trifled with.”
Minerva’s lips quirked up. “Are you the opposite of your friend, James? Sean is nowhere near as forward with women.”
“True. He requires special care— normally a thick piece of metal-banded wood to the back of the skull to get a clue,” James laughed. “As for me, I’ve always appreciated the beauty of women.”
“He’ll try charming any and every woman,” Sean cut in. “Now that we’re all here and everyone has met James, let’s get down to the reason why we’re gathering at my manor and not walking the gardens.”
Everyone drifted over, quieting down to listen.
“The Queens don’t know, and I’d like them to continue to not know until my time is up, but…” Sean paused, looking over the room, “let me introduce you to the Huntsman.”
“A pleasure,” James winked at Minerva.
Everyone paused, but it was Minerva who spoke up, “Sean, while admirable that you’d want your friend to fill the role, it—”
“Stop,” Sean cut her off. “I offer a Bond to everyone in this room: Mage Sight and the energy to use it for an hour. After you take the Bond, look at him and then continue that sentence, Minerva.”
There was a chorus of acceptance, then immediate gasps as everyone stared at James. James just grinned as he looked over the room. The attention was different, but he couldn’t say he disliked the shock and awe on their faces.
“I! Well… umm…” Minerva coughed. “That is different. His energy feels natural, like it soothes the world around him, but is that enough? Does he have any of the Talents the Huntsman is purported to have had?”
“I’ve done a lot of research on that,” Siobhan said, stepping forward. “If James will tell me what he is capable of, I can confirm things.”
“One second,” Sean said. “I have a little over two tendays until I have to present him to the Queens. I’m asking those of you who’d like to help James understand the world to do so. My home will be open for you to come and speak to him. His sensibilities are like mine, but he’s more open to the idea of Bonds. My family is already starting to teach him about the world and fighting. Illandril, he’ll surprise you.”
“I would be happy to spar him at least once,” Queensblood said.
“Sounds good to me,” James grinned, “especially since Sean got me my armor yesterday. But first, to prove who I was and now am, I can say that I can speak to animals.”
Chapter Forty-one
James cooked breakfast again with Glorina, Lona, and Mona. He listened to their stories about how they were treated before they’d met Sean, and how most Moonbound were treated every day. Every story from them had his hackles go up farther and farther. All of it went against his grain— he was fine with Bonded servitude. It’d been part of his lifestyle for decades. What they described broke most of the rules he lived by. It wasn’t just Moonbound, either. All Bonded— especially Life Bonded— were just not treated well, and for Moonbound, it was even worse.
