Ch4

One week. One absolutely frustrating week. Karigan was almost ready to scream. If she ran into Fastion one more time as she completed her duties, she was going to…

“Karigan,” came a call in a familiar Weapon’s voice.

Karigan whirled around, facing the Weapon who had the gall to look sheepish. She’d had enough.

“Listen, I know you are just trying to help Captain Mapstone keep me too 'busy' to distract Zachary from his responsibilities, but you do not need to tail me like some pet!” She exploded, her voice a terse, rabid utterance.

“I'm not your puppy,” Fastion crossed his arms, indignant. How the hell had she found out about his conversation with the Captain?

“Then stop acting like one! Leave me alone! I don't need you pretending...” Karigan stopped herself, clenching her jaw.

“Pretending?” Fastion strode forward, getting into her space.

“Stop it,” Karigan ordered, stepping around the Weapon, only to have her path blocked again.

Understanding dawned on Fastion's face and he pulled Karigan to face him. “You think that I'm spending time with you because I was ordered to?”

Glancing at his expression, Karigan had to doubt her reasoning. "Why else would you? I know you have responsibilities Fastion, and I know that you are high enough in the Weapon ranks that being with me must be 'beneath you',” she spat.

“You are wrong,” Fastion growled. How could this woman be so dense not to realize, “I'm spending time with you because I want to, Karigan!”

For the first time that he had seen, the Green Rider looked vulnerable. Her eyes were bright with restrained emotion and she bit at her bottom lip. “I don't understand. Why me?” her voice trembled. “You are a Weapon, a great and honorable man. And I'm just...me.”

Fastion shook his head sadly. This girl doubted her self-worth, and if Fastion really thought of it, it was probably in his favor. If she had any idea of her allure, she would've had enough courage to pursue the inclination of her heart with the King. “No, you aren't Karigan. You are amazing. A woman like no other, filled with grace and ferocity. You are passionate, loving, and stubborn. And I have fallen in love with you.”

Karigan's mouth dropped open and Fastion took advantage of the moment, swooping in with mouth and tongue, enveloping her in his embrace. She responded in kind, her fingers twining along the nape of his neck, her nails testing his skin in a manner that caused him to press against her further.

“But this Weapon is also a man, and no man would resist you, Karigan G'ladheon,” he whispered harshly, breathing heavily against her lips.

Karigan was shocked, and for a moment she lost herself in the feel of the powerful man against her and the feel of his mouth on hers. When his tongue began to explore her lips, she relaxed and allowed him to explore the warm cavern of her mouth, but when his grip on her tightened, her common sense shocked her like a cold bucket of water.

She broke the kiss and punched him. “You have a lot of nerve!” She hissed, turning on her heel and running down the hallway.

Fastion stood there, holding his rapidly bruising cheekbone, a joyous smile on his face. She might have punched him, but she had kissed him first!

His grin widened as he took off after her.

Zachary looked up from the exhausted countenance of the Rider to his stony-faced Captain.

“What should we do?” He asked, standing from the bedside.

Laren tilted her head, indicating they should vacate the healing room. Once in the hall she sighed. “Kira’s gift was an ability to project a glamour, an image of another person. She had to study and practice for almost six months to be able to duplicate the appearance of Lord Sewell’s mistress. Once out of the castle, she didn’t know how to take on anyone else’s appearance. And neither could she expose herself as an agent of the King for obvious reasons. I think it’s time we sent a duo in to assess the situation. If Lord Sewell is the victim of a coup, we need to see what exactly is going on.”

“What do you suggest?” Zachary asked, his hand at his chin as he thought.

“Send an official contingent to the province to determine what has happened, but before you do, send in our two people to go under cover. Allow them to observe and then report.”

“I agree. Who should we send?

Laren’s eyes alighted on a Weapon standing further down the hall. Her eyes narrowed in thought. “They should be capable of espionage, but able to make sound independent decisions should the need arise. I suggest a team up of Weapon and Rider. Send Karigan and Fastion.”

Zachary’s eyes widened at the mention of Karigan. He had not seen her since the day she delievered the message in the garden to him, her eyes wide. It was as if that day she had drawn away from him, and somehow he knew that he would not get her back. He finally nodded. “Make arrangements,” he said softly, departing down the hallway.

“Where is Fastion?” he asked the Weapon behind him as they walked down the corridors.

“He should be reporting to replace me for the evening hours with you, Sire,” Donal replied, before moving to stand in front of his monarch as a shout echoed down the hall.

“Get away from me Fastion! I can’t believe you kissed me!”

“Kari! Stop! You kissed me back!”

Donal tilted his head, fighting a smile as he stepped back to Zachary’s side.

Karigan slid into the hall, her cheeks flaming as she saw King Zachary, and she tendered a quick bow, only to have Fastion run into her backside. She snapped up, shooting him a dirty look as he gave his own reverence to Zachary, a cheeky grin on his face.

“Majesty,” Karigan choked, sure that her entire countenance was red.

“Karigan, Fastion,” Zachary inclined his head.

The silence stretched between them for a moment before Karigan cleared her throat. “I have duties to attend to, excuse me.” She bowed again, escaping once again.

Fastion watched her depart, still fighting his smile.

Zachary examined his Weapon and friend closely, before nodding to himself. He cleared his throat and jolted Fastion out of his reverie.

“Coming, Fastion?” he asked with a wry smile.

The Weapon nodded, falling into step behind his monarch.

He kissed her! And she had shouted it for the entire castle to hear, but even worse, Zachary had heard her! In the five hells of the underworld, was she cursed?

Karigan rolled over on her bed, punching her pillow into a comfortable submission.

She was going to kill him, maybe she could arrange for Drent to let her have a private sparring session? She wouldn’t break any bones; just bruise a couple of ribs.

She reveled in the mental imagery before sighing.

He kissed her. His mouth had been so warm, and he had gripped her so passionately, she had felt alive, and loved. Had he been serious when he had said he had fallen for her? Would Mapstone go that far to ensure that there were no relations between her and Zachary?

He had kissed her. A blush warmed Karigan’s cheek, and she touched her lips softly.

"How long have you been in love with her?" The question seemed to echo in the quiet corridors of the castle, as Zachary paced in an effort to relieve his insomnia.

Fastion started, despite himself, he had been sure his feelings had been hidden from his monarch. Although, he could not expect the King to have missed the conversation he and Kari had had in the hallway. "Sire?"

Zachary paused, and regarded the Weapon who was more friend than servant. "I've seen you watch her Fastion, and I have never seen such a softness in your countenance as you have when you stare at her."

The King paused for a moment, seemingly overcome by emotion, before he opened his expressive almond eyes to pierce the Weapon with a gaze he had never seen before. "Mark me, my friend. You have been a faithful servant to the crown many years, and I've counted you as my companion. Hurt her, and an eternity of faithful service could not make me forgive you, nor spare you from my wrath."

When Zachary turned and walked away, it took the Weapon several minutes to follow.

Read and Review! Thanks!! As always, much thanks to Sirius for her SERIOUS (har har) beta skills