Like Wonder suspected, Rose knew.

“It’s the King Trials.”

Wonder said, “Thee what?”

Rose said, “Basically, it’s how the Lightwraiths decide who their top warrior families are, and their King. A fight to the death. The absolute champion, AKA the only survivor, dictates the laws of the whole Lightwraith species. Well, those who aren’t wild.”

Wonder said, “I’m guessing Ralton won’t be able to say no.”

Rose shook his head. “Not without risking everyone he is responsible for.”

Rose leaned back on the couch, nibbling his thumbnail. “But I haven’t heard of the Slave March doing anything during the King Trials. Usually they’re slaves because they are weak or do civilian jobs. The Trials are too dangerous.”

“Unless they can be assassins. Guns do exist. And all you have to do is survive and win, right? One well-timed gunshot… bam. Suddenly the Lightwraiths are under control by the ones they abused.”

Rose nodded. “Huh. Point. But I’m sure that has been thought of and protected against. So… what aren’t we thinking of?”

Wonder froze. “…Malchon.”

Rose said, “Huh?”

“Malchon would not be able to resist getting into this. His whole point is to purge Hoseki of the evil and crappy people. And he’s a top-tier Mage. Even if he can’t participate directly, what’s to stop him from casting some magic and helping a Champion of his own? Especially ones with the same goals, AKA the Slave March.”

Rose did an O with his mouth.

He laughed. “So does this count of him getting in your way?!?”

Wonder laughed. “I dunno! I guess I’ll kick his ass for good measure when we get to Fasis.”

Izuku peeked out of his room. “Um… Dads?”

“What is it, baby boy?”

“The Myzune want to know if we are really going to a scholar’s city.”

Rose chuckled. “You bought yourself that one, dear.”

Wonder asked, “That wasn’t a legitimate option? We need a portal out of Hoseki, and a city of Ravenclaws seems a natural place to find clues.”

Rose smiled and kissed his cheek. “Yes, dear, we’re going. Now what’s wrong?”

Izuku said, “Nothing…”

Wonder got up. “Nothing mean you’re not up to a late-night Taming trip with your dad?”

Izuku was out instantly. “Nope!!!”

Wonder hugged him. “Then let’s go, baby boy. Good night, Rose.”

“Night, dear.”

*****************

Rose’s Turn

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Rose couldn’t go to sleep right away. He still hadn’t told Wonder the second thing he needed to about City Lightwraiths.

They were polygamous.

Probably due to losing their mates whenever they were deemed “weak” or died at young ages and unexpected times, a successful Lightwraith could have 3-4 mates at a time. Some of them slaves, some of them warriors, and almost all had at least one non-Lightwraith mate. All of them capable of true love.

Rose was never sure how he liked that idea in general. And he knew Wonder would have some social anxiety at first, but he would accept the love anyway. And probably adore the new addition to his family no matter what. His old world had basically told him that only his blood family would love him, so he was accepting to love in all forms.

But Wonder was Rose’s.

No… Wonder was Wonder’s. But Rose did genuinely feared being left behind. They had bonded, and supposedly that bond was true for eternity. But Rose was scared that the kind, loving man would leave him behind. Or even just sideline him for a new lover. Especially if that new lover was attention-hogging.

Who am I kidding, Wonder would get turned off by that the moment his social battery was out.

Rose sighed, putting the guitar to the side. He knew if he told Wonder his fears, Wonder would swear to the moon he wouldn’t leave Rose behind. That he’d love Rose forever and ever. And he’d mean every word.

But that still left the possibility.

I never wanted to go to Fasis in general. It’s now worse with a mate.

There was a creak of the floorboards.

Rose’s old Rogue instincts flared. He grabbed his knife and sat up. He then sighed. It was just Wonder.

Wonder whispered, “Hey, dear. Sorry, just got back. Didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You’re fine. I wasn’t sleeping anyway.”

Wonder frowned and closed the door. “You okay? Shit, who am I kidding… we have to go to the most hated city on Hoseki. Of course you’re not doing well.”

He sat next to Rose. “Sorry I…”

Rose said, “Hey, calm down. Izuku needed that. I think his evolution is just…”

“Whiplash. He pretty much told me as much. Sakura suddenly getting a mate also didn’t help.”

Wonder smiled gently. “He’s feeling better now. He just needed someone to talk to.”

Rose smiled. “That’s good.”

He sighed. “Wonder… I don’t know if you’ve gotten this, but Lightwraiths are polygamous.”

“You have a second hubby?”

Rose’s head jolted up. Wonder looked stricter. He said, “You could have…”

“NO! Not me!”

He laughed. “I… should have worded that better. No, it’s only you for me. It’s just… when we enter Fasis, you’re gonna have a lot of people hitting on you. Especially once they realized what a sharpshooter you are.”

The absolute terrified and sickened look on Wonder’s face told Rose all. And nearly made him laugh again. He said, “Dear, no one who does that will mean you harm.”

“I do not like the idea. And it doesn’t make sense! I mean…”

He indicated his yummy bod. “Hell-o! Ugly!”

“To a human, maybe! But you’re tasty to a Lightwraith~.”

Wonder blushed, and smiled. “I still think you’re the only one kind enough to think that.”

Rose said, “Nope, it’s a thing.”

He sighed. “And that’s what I’m worried about.”

“I’m not gonna leave you, Rose.”

Wonder’s tone had gotten serious. Not what Rose had expected. He expected his mate to turn gentle and loving. Pure honesty and love.

But while Rose did see love in those eyes, a different switch had flipped.

Wonder said, “Let’s say some magical miracle happened and I am fated to be with someone else. They are still gonna be #2. I cannot trust them with my kids because…” He waved his hands. “Lightwraiths are jackasses. 90% of them anyway. They grew up in a superior warriorculture, and I’ll always be #2 to them, so I’ll treat them as such.”

His gaze finally turned gentle. “But you picked me. You had a comfy life with the Rogues that raised you. You then saw me and was like ‘he’s perfect’ and jumped ship. You are having to deal with too many Beasts, the fact we only have one female in the whole shibang (no offense to the Myzune), no permanent housing, etc. But you stay on for me. And the kiddos, but still: Iwas the primary.”

Wonder smiled. “I love you for that. More than words, or any of my stories or dud songs, can say. I’m your #1, and you are mine.”

Rose felt tears coming on. “You have too big a heart.”

“Maybe so, but yours was bigger.”

Rose pulled Wonder in for a hug, kissing him.

You can guess where the night went then.