Chapter Six: Hadrian Walsh
Hadrian found it ironic, or perhaps horrifying, that the same faith that had once denounced men with his abilities as Evil was now blessing his marriage. The priest, backed by six acolytes, was taking the whole thing very seriously. Lilan looked nervous and nodded in agreement with the words the priest was saying. They were mostly instructions on how to live her life. Hadrian wanted to yawn. He had always wondered what it would feel like to get married. Not to discredit the woman, but he was bored. They had been standing for what felt like an hour. His feet hurt in his badly-fitting shoes and he had to piss.
Once it ended, he thought it would be amusing to turn both himself and his new wife into birds and fly away. He decided against it though. People congratulated the two of them as they stood on display in front of the golden altar.
“Good show, sir, good show!” Someone he did not recognize said to him while shaking his hand.
“Well, thanks, I worked really hard at it.” They both laughed at his joke, although it was not funny. Hadrian then began making all kinds of jokes.
He elbowed Lilan gently. “These people will laugh at anything.”
“For you maybe.” She said, irritated. “I keep getting advice on how to run the household.”
He shrugged. “Well, someone will have to run it. I’ll be too much too busy, with adventures and all that.”
She elbowed him back, still smiling, but her eyes were daggers.
“Hmm.” He said appreciatively, then leaned over and kissed her. It was fast and caught her by surprise. When he pulled back after a few seconds she stood there with her mouth open. The people around them cheered. He grinned. “They even cheer for that. I should get married more often!” There was more laughter and Hadrian did a bow. Lilan rolled her eyes.
The dinner was expensive and well-prepared, but neither of them ate much. Both drank enough wine to be sociable and there was a bit of dancing. Hadrian had never been skilled at either, but he tried anyway. The shadow of the eldest Walsh brother’s death, and his family’s, hung over the celebration, though most of the guests were trying to put it behind them. Hadrian was not above, but instead below suspicion. He gained nothing by the spilling of Walsh blood, but he still wanted to stay well away from it all. Someone would have to answer for those deaths.
Lord Walsh sat down next to him, smelling strongly of wine.
“Please, no more wedding cliches.” Hadrian said, cutting his father-in-law off before he could start.
“Fair enough.” The man sighed. “Have you, um, noticed anything strange. Or anyone?” He looked badly frightened.
Hadrian shook his head. “There is nothing to worry about, we have guards posted outside.”
The older man was silent for a long time. “I know. Still can’t sleep soundly though. These Black Coat people, they’re new. There used to just be thugs, hired by angry merchants.”
“Any suspects?” Hadrian tried to smile, but the topic was grim. Lord Walsh and his family could very well be targets. If someone wanted to make a political statement, a wedding would be the place to do it. He shrugged. “Well, I could arrange our own investigation.” He thought of Sara, the strange woman he had hired the other day. Even now she was probably lurking around somewhere.
“Yes, good idea. The city watch has made promises, but I don’t want to risk anything. Start a full investigation, I’ll get you the funds.”
Hadrian nodded. “There are no guarantees.”
“Of course not.” Lord Walsh stood up. “Well, enjoy the rest of the wedding.”
“I think I’ve lost my taste for celebration.” He stood up as well, initially to be polite, but now he wanted a locked down between himself and the rest of the world.
Hadrian found Lilan talking with a group of old women and promptly rescued her. “I think it’s time we made our escape.”
She nodded, somewhat reluctantly.
“I resisted in the temple, but now…” He held his arms up and addressed the crowd in a voice much louder than his own, magically amplified. “Ladies and gentlemen! Wow, the acoustics in here are impressive... anyway, thank you all for coming. Thank you Lord and Lady Walsh for hosting, I’m sure it wasn’t cheap. Um, Lilan, would you like to say something?”
Usually it was customary only for the groom to say the farewells for the evening, but Hadrian was not big on tradition.
“Oh, okay. Thank you everyone for the good wishes and the advice. I hope I will not need all of it.” She paused for the laughter. “And don’t stop the celebrations on our account.” Behind her Hadrian winked and there was more laughter, and a few lewd jokes. He bowed to the crowd, inviting Lilan to do the same.
It was also customary to lead your lady away by the arm, but Hadrian took her hand instead. She blushed prettily and they stepped outside. Doves rushed around them into the night air.
“I said I couldn’t resist.”
There were guards milling about and a few gave greetings. Hadrian returned them, but he was watching for sudden attackers. Sara was leaning against the carriage smoking a cigar. When they came up to her she took off her hat and bowed.
“My Lord and Lady.” She said sarcastically.
“You can use my first name as long as you stop mocking me.” Hadrian growled.
She smiled. “How about ‘sir’? Grumpy tonight, sir?” She turned to Lilan. “Congratulations ma’am, on the wedding I mean.”
Lilan did not smile, but nodded. “Thank you. We haven’t been introduced.”
“Sara Tonic, ma’am.” She bowed again. “And you are Lilan Walsh. Anyone ever call you Lilly?”
“Um, no.”
“Good. I’m sure we will be the best of friends.” She said with a tone that was either honest or sarcastic. A tone that takes years of practice. Sara looked at Hadrian. “Shall we be off, sir?”
He grumbled something closer to an ancient curse than to words, then helped his new wife into the carriage. “Try not to let highwaymen overtake us.” He said before closing the door. Sara laughed loudly enough to be heard inside the carriage. There was the crack of leather and the box on wheel surged forward.
“Bloody hells!” Hadrian swore loudly, bouncing on the seat.
“She’s very strange.” Lilan said neutrally.
He shook his head. “I should take a horse whip to her. But, she’s useful.”
“As a driver?”
“Bodyguard. For you. I hope you like her company, and her driving, she’ll be your constant companion. Even at home. Sara has a habit of hanging around.”
“How fun.”
Hadrian shrugged. “There are worse people to spend your time with.” He thought for a moment. “I am also going to use her to track your uncle’s killers.”
Lilan nodded, but grimaced. “I wish you hadn’t brought that up. I had just put it out of my mind.”
“Would you like some advice?”
She nodded again.
“Don’t put it out of your mind. Keep it with you, always. Learn to be wary at all times. No magic or bodyguards can save you from ignorance.”
“Oh.” She looked down at her hands.
“Fear will become another one of your companions. A friend, almost. Dependable at least. Listen to it and you will stay alive. Don’t worry, you’ll learn.”
“I will?” Lilan brightened at that.
“Of course. I didn’t get married so that you could run my house. I hire people for that. The next adventure that shows its ugly head: we’ll be off.”
“What about children and all that?”
Hadrian raised his eyebrows. “It will either be children or adventure, for both of us.”
She reddened. “Well, I can’t exactly choose. I know that, at least.”
“Wizards can be somewhat particular about when their women have children.”
“How?”
“Don’t worry about it.” He shrugged. “I could explain it, but it really isn’t necessary.”
“Okay.” She shrugged too, then s
topped herself. “Ladies shouldn’t shrug.”
“Is it unseemly?” Hadrian asked with a mocking smile.
“No, but it is rather rude.”
“Well, you’ll have to be careful around Sara, she’s full of bad habits.”
“Hey! I am not!” She yelled from outside.
“Are you listening to us, you shrew!?”
“Well there’s nothing else to do!”
“Do not eavesdrop on me!” His face was now red with anger.
“Then shut the window!” She cursed at someone in the road.
Hadrian waved his hand and the window slammed shut. He breathed deeply and tried to get his pulse to slow down.
“I think I kind of like her.” Lilan said and laughed into her hand. “You turned as red as a beet.”
He grumbled something about turning both of them into beets.
“Oh, you can’t do that! Can you?”
“Only for an hour.” He admitted.
“I wonder what it would like to be a plant.”
Hadrian laughed. “We were warned against it. When you turn back, you’ll think like a beet. And probably hate the taste of them.”
“Oh, I don’t like beets anyway.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Never take away reasons a wizard shouldn’t do something, my dear.”
She crossed her arms and frowned. “Have you ever turned anyone into anything they weren’t supposed to be?”
Hadrian nodded. “Just one time. I turned a friend into a rat. Now he loves cheese. It really isn’t a nice thing to do. In fact, it’s the kind of the thing that gets you burned inside your own house by an angry mob.”
Lilan was quiet for a long time, thinking. “Does it bother you that we only met once before our wedding?”
Hadrian scratched his chin, freshly shaved only a few hours before. “Bother me? No, but I suppose it is a bit odd. The thing is, I never really gave marriage any thought before this.”
“Are you happy with the match?”
“Yes. At first, I was enticed of the political gain. It wouldn’t be much, but it’s something.”
She rolled her eyes. “Wow, how romantic.”
“What does marriage have to do with romance? A silly concept, I always thought.”
“Love isn’t silly!”
Hadrian declined to argue that point. “But, if I didn’t like you, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“And if I didn’t like you?”
“Same thing. I wouldn’t have married you.”
She frowned. “It shouldn’t have all been up to you.”
“Probably true. Lucky for you, I took many more things into account than simply your political status.” Hadrian was rather proud with his noble intentions. Lilan was not as pleased.
“What a life! To wait around while men judge you and then be happy when they choose you.”
He laughed. “Well, life is nothing if not unfair.”
She continued to frown. “What else did you take into account?”
“You were argumentative and you didn’t complain. And determined. You’ll need that, for where we’re going. I’d feel guilty if you lived the rest of your life in misery.”
“Hmph. I might still.”
“Well, that’s your choice.”
The carriage came to a sudden halt. Hadrian opened the window. “Are we home or under attack?”
“Why would I stop if we were under attack?” Sara swung down and opened the door. “Welcome home, sir and madam.”
Both rolled their eyes and stepped out. The servants assembled outside along with the two hired guards. The three servants all began to cheer when they spotted Lilan. She bowed her head and smiled. “Has my luggage arrived?”
“Oh, of course ma’am. If it hadn’t, I would have gone and brought it myself.” Mrs. Blaine, the maid, said proudly. Her son Samuel nodded his head in agreement.
“Let’s all get inside where it’s warm!” Hadrian shouted and everyone went into the house. Sara appeared at his elbow.
“Hey boss. Just so you know, I saw a few Black Coats out in the street. They saw us pass by and looked ready to make trouble.”
“What stopped them?”
She shrugged. “My winning personality? Anyway, be careful. Sleep with one eye open.”
“I will. Thanks.”
“It’s my job.” Sara paused and winked. “Have a good night, sir.”
“My things were put in your room by mistake.” Lilan was wearing a much simpler dress, but still not a thing for sleeping in.
“Our room, actually.”
“We’ll share?” She looked shocked, as if he had suggested they also sleep with a shark in the bed.
“Of course, one of the perks of marriage.” He sighed. “We can argue about this later. I’m not in the mood.”
Hadrian sat on the bed and took off his too-tight shoes. Once they were off he let out a breath of relief. “I will never wear those again. Feel free to only wear things that are comfortable, by the way. There is a reason wizards are always thought of as wearing robes. Robes are comfortable.”
Lilan stood in the doorway looking at him, a nervous and puzzled look on her face.
“Shut the door would you? And why is this house always so cold?” He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. The room warmed up to the temperature of a nice summer day. He continued to take off clothing at a leisurely pace.
Lilan closed the door and walked to one of the dressers. “Um, what are you doing?”
Hadrian looked up. “Right, you probably have questions. It’ll be easier to show you rather than explain it all. First undress.”
“What?”
“No hurry or anything. You can wash up if you want, but it won’t bother me either way.”
She inched towards the basin of water and splashed herself about the face and neck. Then she turned around angrily.
“Can’t I get a little privacy?”
“No.” He threw his pants across the room and walked over to her. She was shocked that he was naked and was now much redder than any beet. “I don’t like to see you so uncomfortable.” He said softly. “But, I also don’t exactly mind.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Take a guess.” He moved even closer. She glanced down and then snapped her head back up. Lilan was so angry she was grinding her teeth together. “I’ll make you pay for embarrassing me so.”
He laughed. “And I’m sure I’ll live to regret it, but for now…” His hands rested on her hips, though there was so much fabric it was like touching a couch. A few words and the clothes began undressing themselves.
“Handy one, that spell.” He pulled her close and kissed her, working slowly to open her lips. There was an exciting resistance for a few seconds, then she gave in. He explored slowly with his tongue, touching hers only hesitantly.
Hadrian moved his hands from either side of her face to the back of her head and to the place between her shoulder blades. Lilan murmured something and he responded with a growl deep in his throat. Her tongue pushed at his with urgency. He slid his hand to her lower back and pushed so that they were pressed together.
She said something else and suddenly they were kissing frantically, neither willing to come up for air. Both were breathing heavily - almost panting. Hadrian used both hands to sift through her hair, soft and stringy. He pressed against her scalp and she arched her back. Finally they released each other from the kiss and admired each other passionately.
“Come on.” He led her over to the bed and lightly pushed her onto it, then climbed atop of her, careful to keep most of his weight on his knees.
Lilan was watching him closely, her green eyes blazing with intensity. He brushed his fingertips of one hand down her neck, feeling the racing beat of her heart. The hand wandered downwards and slowly climbed the slope of her breast. His other hand slid up her ribcage and cupped the other one. Two hands were pressed against his back, pulling him closer. Lilan shifted her
hips and sighed happily. He lowered his waist against her own, so that now most of his weight was on his elbows.
She lifted her head and brushed her lips against his. Hadrian remained still, letting her take the lead. Meanwhile, he reached one hand down between her legs. She yelped in surprise and squirmed uncomfortably. Hadrian hummed to reassure her and kissed her neck. He was using two fingers to probe her gently. Her reply was a few half-said words. He sucked at her earlobe and increased speed with his right hand.
After a few minutes she was gasping, and at the same time giggling somewhat. Hadrian drew back his hand and use it to guide himself into her. She grunted, then relaxed and ran her hands through his hair. He moved about with some difficulty, at first it was a rather tight fit, but that only excited him further. He had to control himself so that he didn’t go too fast.
A half-hour later they lay side by side, Lilan curled up against him. He rested his hand on her hip, which was pointed up in the air.
“Well, that was fun.” She said, pushing the hair away from her face.
Hadrian smiled and nodded. He was feeling lazy and content, but did not have much to say. There were worries on his mind that he wrestled with quietly.
“Not at all what I expected. And you made the funniest face! There at the end.”
“You were no better.” He growled, then laughed. “Sometimes I wish I wasn’t such a grumpy old man.”
“You aren’t that old.”
“Oh? I thought you said I was old enough to be your father?”
She kissed him lightly on the lips. “I was lying.”
“I don’t believe you.” He nudged her nose with his own. “But thanks for saying that.”
“Why do you think you’re old?”
“I am. Wizards age slowly, it must be the magic or something.”
Lilan looked at him thoughtfully. “So how old are you really?”
“Fifty-four, in truth. Though people assume I’m thirty-five or so.”
“Wow! You must have seen a lot.”
He nodded solemnly. “Too much, in fact. And I spent thirty years in the Jade Tower.”
“What is that?”
“Where I was taught magic, among other things.”
“Well, I guess you are old enough to be my father.” She teased.
He laughed and pushed her down flat on her back, holding himself over her.
“What? Again?” She was grinning wickedly.
“I may be older than I look.” He said with a wink. “But I’m not that old.”