In Which Cord's Spotless Past Is Null and Void

April 17, 1176

"...and then before my wife can even get a guest list together, you go behind Nanalie's back and--"

"Sir, with all due respect, that's not how it happened!" But how had it happened? Even to Cord the details were a bit hazy. But if nothing else, he'd hoped that no one would think he'd planned for this; unfortunately, that may have been to much to ask.

Or at least from Asalaye and Nanalie's father.

"Oh really?" If he squinted, Cord could swear he saw two steady jets of smoke spouting from Master Indruion's nostrils. How was this snarling beast the same man who had always greeted him with a smile when he'd shown up at the house for a visit with Asalaye? Was it time playing this trick on him, or merely circumstance? "Then enlighten me. How did it happen?"

Maybe this was all just a nightmare. If it was--and by God, how he hoped it was!--then now would have been as good a time as any to wake.

"It was all just an honest mistake, sir. I just went to visit a friend and the next thing I know, her brother forces me to marry her."

Master Indruion raised an eyebrow. Maybe it had been too much to hope that he would by the abridged version of the story. "God damn it! If I want bullshit, I'll clean my barn. You've jilted both of my marriageable daughters and I'm not leaving without an explanation--the true explanation, or at least as true of one as a backstabbing little shit like you can give!"

Backstabbing. Of all the things he'd never been called before and hoped never to be called at all. He'd always tried to be a good man, and for the most part he'd succeeded. How was it that one stupid mistake could render his otherwise spotless past null and void? "All right, we may have been... sort of... not wearing clothes..."

"Oh, so that's what happened?" The man's finger met Cord's rib with all the force of a javelin, his once brown eyes red as all hell. It was a struggle not to shudder. Cord must have had a good three inches on Master Indruion and several pounds at that, but all of a sudden he was three years old again and not even knee-high--and this was not the kindly old friend of his father's who'd always been so good about letting the children play in his loft. "Neither of my girls ever put out for you, so you went to find yourself a little tramp who would? You idiot! If you just wanted sex, no one would have forced you to marry a whore from the brothel!"

"Sir--"

"You know what?" Master Indruion shot Cord another glare and stormed toward the door, a clap of thunder in each footstep. "I'm glad you didn't marry either of my girls. By God, they can both do much better than a lecherous oaf who turns from a good woman at the whim of some slut!"

"Sir--"

"Don't you 'sir' me!"

The door slammed shut before he could realize it had opened--before he could even apologize, say how much he loved Asalaye, how he would have tried to do right by Nanalie. A labored sigh breaking free from his chest, Cord shuffled to the couch and collapsed upon it. He never would get a chance to say those things now. In all likelihood, Adonis Indruion had no intention of ever speaking to him again.

"Cord?"

He didn't have to turn to see Riala making her way down the stairs, not when her slippers made that soft click! on every step, not when her linen skirt swished from board to board. How long had she been listening from above? Long enough to hear herself branded a slut?

"How much did you hear?"

"Does it matter?" Fairy footfalls chimed against the floor as she flitted forth to join him on the couch. She had been good about this whole thing, much better than he might have expected. He almost felt guilty about wishing she was Asalaye.

"Are you all right?"

Cord shrugged. "I didn't get to say everything I wanted, but I guess I'll survive."

"Mmm." Her blue eyes fell to her lap as she twirled her wedding band around her finger. It was a little big for her, but that shouldn't have surprised him. It had been made for someone else. "I'm sorry, Cord. I should have told Fenrick to fuck off."

Was that how she really felt? Maybe she was right, or at least partially. Then again, maybe he was an even bigger asshole for thinking that. "No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have called at your place."

"You couldn't have known this would happen." A frown on her mouth, she let her hands fall idle. Stillness didn't quite suit her. "I can't believe I was so careless. I've never been caught before."

Never. He believed her. He could even vouch for her.

But there was a first for everything. Figured that it had to be him.

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