CHAPTER FOUR—CALDER FEV’ROSK

I returned to the spire with Waelden by my side, the somber air our constant companion. The rooms felt empty without the chatter of our guests; I felt empty without the presence of our Queen. I did not even bother returning to the bed chamber she and I had spared; I would live and work out of my cottage in the town and come to the spire only for official business. The rustic nature of that lifestyle suited me better. It allowed me to think less and focus on the many tasks that needed to be done throughout the day, and not thinking was the only thing that kept the sorrow at bay.

Waelden and I sat together in one of the smaller sitting rooms and waited for Vanixa to join us. When she did, she stood standing in front of us with her arms crossed in front of her chest, tapping her foot impatiently.

“Please,” I said to her, “will you not sit down?”

“I am fine where I am,” she insisted, and Waelden cast an apologetic look toward me as if to say, See what I have to deal with?

“I called you here today because Waelden has something he would like to say to you, and in order to move forward with his request, he will need a sanction from myself, as King and acting head of the Qulari priesthood.”

Vanixa blinked, shifting uncomfortably where she stood, and gesturing like she did not quite know what to do with her arms. She settled into a position with her hand on her hip and waited for us to go on.

“Waelden,” I urged, and he cleared his throat.

“Vanixa,” he said, rising to stand in front of her. I felt silly being the only one seated, so I rose as well, and the three of us stood strangely in front of our chairs. “Ours is not a happy marriage. I have tried my best to love and care for you, but I am met with disdain at every turn. And because our union yielded no offspring, I believe that it is time for us to call this whole experiment a failure, and to part ways as friends.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What?” she demanded, her voice hover just above a whisper.

“I think we should divorce,” he said, clearly and directly. “I think you will be much happier for it, as you have given me no indication that you care for me at all.”

She scoffed and looked away. I could see color rising into her face, and I wondered if she was truly surprised by this revelation. “Whether or not things are going well, or…or whether or not we love each other, is not important.”

“On the contrary—” Waelden began, but she cut him off.

“Those whom the Gods have joined in marriage, no man can put asunder.” She was blushing, and I could see where her eyes were glassy with tears, but she spoke clear and true.

“But,” Waelden protested, “you hate me.”

“I most certainly do not hate you,” she insisted.

“You are terrible to me,” he went on, jaw hanging slightly agape. “You call me names, you tell me I am disgusting, you openly speak about how you think you would be better off without me. Nowhere in our years together have you led me to believe even for a moment that there was any affection between us.”

“I did not know that a brutish Qeteshi warrior required affection to breed.” She was not being sassy in this moment; it seemed she was genuinely confused and perturbed. For my part, I thought the entire proceeding was strange and had no idea how to help Waelden proceed.

“Every creature requires some affection from time to time, Vanixa,” Waelden rejoined, “even me. Even you.”

“I require very little,” she hissed, “I assure you.”

Waelden sighed, his shoulders drooping with his deflated effort. “Vanixa, why fight it? You are unhappy. I am unhappy. Let us have a clean break to begin our lives anew.”

“And what shall become of me? When you cast me off, where shall I go?”

“Back to Europa, I would imagine. Back to your own people.”

“Though,” I interjected, “you would also be welcome to stay here, in the home you have created. You would not be pushed out.”

There was a silence as she mulled over the idea, but she was shaking her head from side to side as though she would reject it outright.

“This experiment,” I said, “was not designed to make people miserable. We had hoped that it would yield a number of fine mixed-species offspring, but that has not happened. Perhaps our bodies are not designed to co-mingle—and that is no one’s fault. You have done what you set out to do, as best you can. Now, if you like, you are free to do something else.”

“Ask yourself, Vanixa,” Waelden murmured, venturing to take her hands in his, “what do you want?”

She sniffled. “I want to be a mother,” she said. “That is what I have always wanted.”

“So, I take it that means that you would like to return to Europa?” I asked.

After a long moment she nodded her head in assent.

“Very well. I shall have the clerk draw up the divorce paperwork so that we have it on file, and I will personally send a message to your people in Europa for them to send a vessel for you.” I gripped them both by the shoulders but felt suddenly like an intruder. “And I’ll leave you to begin sorting out your house and making your farewells. Vanixa, you are welcome to live in the spire, if you like.” I glanced between them, but in their minds, I had already left the room. “Well.”

As I left them, I heard Waelden say, “Vanixa, I am sorry.” And I heard her respond, “So am I.”