Indenuel finished his coffee, setting it down on the table, feeling jittery.

“I just wish someone could have knocked you out before you stopped being a Graduate. You’ve already gone down in history as the longest person to ever live as one, let alone never be knocked out by a fellow soldier.”

Tolomon shrugged. “Still a Graduate for a few more days. You are more than welcome to try.”

Nathaniel smiled. “Want to have a go, then?”

“Yeah, alright,” Tolomon said, standing up.

Rosa frowned, dropping her hand as Nathaniel stood up. “Wait, wait,” she said, standing up quickly. “You two are going to fight? Right now?”

Nathaniel stretched before shaking out his sword hand. “Tradition.”

“The welts on your back,” Rosa said, the concern obvious in her voice. She looked at Tolomon.

Inessa and Indenuel stood, Inessa trying to finish her coffee.

“Don’t worry, Rosa. My back will be just fine. Practically scars at this point,” Nathaniel said.

“And Tolomon? His just broke open only a few days ago. They were bad,” Rosa said.

“It might actually give Nathaniel the edge he needs to finally knock me out,” Tolomon said as Nathaniel joined his side.

“That isn’t nearly as comforting as you think it is,” Rosa said, folding her arms. “And I’ve seen the welts on your back, Nathaniel. They are not scars.”

“But Tolomon will only be a Graduate for a few more days,” Nathaniel said before patting Tolomon’s chest. “The gardens?”

“That will be safest,” Tolomon said.

Rosa placed her hands against her cheeks, sighing. “There is no changing your mind, is there?”

“We’ll try to make it fast and quick, love,” Nathaniel said.

Rosa shook her head. “Try? There’s nothing you can do to make it fast for the sake of your backs?”

“It’s all a mental game, really. I just need to catch him by surprise,” Nathaniel said.

Rosa frowned, then caught Tolomon’s gaze. Realization dawned on Tolomon’s face; a realization only he and Rosa understood, but one where he knew how much trouble he was in considering how fast his smile dropped. Rosa glanced behind her, seeing Indenuel and Inessa by the table. Inessa was draining the remains of her coffee, and Indenuel waited for her to finish. Rosa smirked as she looked at Tolomon again.

“Ah, shit,” Tolomon mumbled under his breath.

Rosa peeled the top of her dress down to her elbows before bending the bodice enough to reveal her breasts, and Tolomon watched the entire thing with wide eyes. Inessa choked on her coffee. As Rosa had her back toward them, Indenuel didn’t see anything, but he certainly saw Tolomon’s face. The man expected this, that much was clear, and yet he still watched, his mouth dropping open. For the first time since Indenuel met him, Tolomon looked genuinely surprised as Rosa turned her head, closing her eyes.

Tolomon lifted a hand, barely able to tear his eyes away to try blocking Nathaniel’s dagger, but it didn’t work. Tolomon groaned as the hilt thudded against the back of his head, stumbling once. Nathaniel hit him hard a second, third, then a fourth time in rapid succession, before Tolomon finally closed his eyes and fell. Nathaniel caught him, easing him to the ground as Rosa opened her eyes and looked at her husband.

“Yes, well…” Nathaniel brushed off his clothes as he stood, his eyes gravitating toward Rosa’s breasts. “That’s…” he nodded, still staring. “Effective, my love. Thank you.”

“I was really concerned about both of your backs,” Rosa said, making no movement to bring her dress back up. Indenuel had the hardest time not laughing. Inessa was already in a fit of giggles on the couch.

“It works. I feel fantastic. My back. My back feels fantastic,” Nathaniel said.

“Nathaniel,” Rosa said quietly.

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“Yes, love?”

“Tolomon.”

“Mmm.”

“Your closest friend in the world.” Rosa moved her bodice back into place. “Bleeding out on the floor. Maybe you could-”

“Yep,” Nathaniel said, flipping Tolomon over without actually looking at him. He barely touched his fingers to Tolomon’s temples when his eyes snapped open just as wide as before, staring at the ceiling as Rosa moved her sleeves back up her shoulders.

“I surrender,” Tolomon sputtered.

“I already knocked you out,” Nathaniel said.

“I was talking to Rosa.”

Rosa chuckled. “What do soldiers usually say to that? I accept?”

Tolomon looked as though he wanted to say something else, but instead said, “Damn, Nathaniel.”

Nathaniel nodded, just as distracted. “I know.”

Rosa brushed herself off, glancing at Indenuel and Inessa. Inessa was still fighting the fit of giggling and Indenuel was trying to contain his red face, giving Rosa a small wave like that would somehow convey he hadn’t seen anything. Turns out Diego and Nathaniel didn’t need to team up. Rosa and Nathaniel were just as effective of a combination against Tolomon.

Rosa looked back at the men, then knelt beside Tolomon with concern on her face. “Nathaniel, he’s still bleeding.”

“What?” Nathaniel asked.

“You didn’t heal him all the way,” Rosa said, touching the back of Tolomon’s head and bringing it back with blood on her fingers.

“Right. Distracted,” Nathaniel said.

Tolomon closed his eyes as Nathaniel placed his fingers against his temple. “I didn’t even notice.”

Indenuel snorted as Nathaniel finished healing Tolomon. Inessa was finally over her giggle fit and stood by him, still smiling. Indenuel put his arm around her.

“Did you…”

“That was all Rosa,” Inessa said. She rested her head against his shoulders. Nathaniel helped Tolomon up, who was still in a state of shock. Somehow, Indenuel doubted it was because of the four very powerful blows to the back of the head.

“Forgive me for not giving you a proper goodbye. I didn’t want the staff to talk again,” Tolomon said.

“Oh, I understand. And I forgive you completely,” Rosa said.

“I’d like to give you a more Oraminian goodbye if I may?” Tolomon asked.

“Of course,” she said.

Tolomon moved forward and gave her a hug. She hugged him, placing her hands carefully on his back.

“I’m glad you’re alive,” Tolomon said quietly.

“I knew I would be,” she said.

Tolomon smiled, then held the back of her head and kissed her. Curiosity made him glance in Nathaniel’s direction. There was none of the jealousy he expected from someone whose wife was being kissed by another man. In fact, it was the opposite. Nathaniel looked genuinely thrilled for them.

Rosa broke away, smiling. “Quite the friendly bunch, these Oraminians.”

Tolomon snorted. “I… might have taken a few liberties with their goodbye.”

“I don’t mind,” Rosa said, giving him another kiss. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

She broke away, moving over to Nathaniel, smiling.

“I thought you were done being a trickster,” Nathaniel said.

Rosa shook her head. “I am never tired of surprising you.”

They kissed, and Tolomon was smiling, none of the jealousies present in his face either. Whatever the three of them had, it might just work. Indenuel had always assumed something like this could never happen. Granted, the only other thing that came close to it was the concubine law, and that alone he had strong feelings of hate for. But if all of them consented to this arrangement?

Rosa smiled, placing her head against his shoulder. “Thank you, Nathaniel.” He kissed her hair. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Nathaniel said. “Thank you, Indenuel, for having us drop by so unexpectedly.”

“It was… yep. A memorable one. I’m sure you are a busy man, so thank you for spending some of your time with us,” Indenuel said.

“All worth it. I shall see you all later, I’m sure,” Nathaniel said.

“I’m sure,” Indenuel said.

Inessa, Indenuel, and Tolomon waved as Nathaniel and Rosa disappeared into their carriage, driving off. Tolomon was still smiling.

“That coffee stuff is really great.” He licked his lips before popping them. “I might have some more.” He started humming as he walked back into the house. “Coming?”

Inessa smiled, bowing her head as she took Indenuel’s hand, following Tolomon into the house.

“We were never that ridiculous, were we?” Indenuel asked.

“It’s only been two weeks since our marriage. We’re still ridiculous,” Inessa said.

He smiled at her. “I guess we are.” He kissed her deeply, and Tolomon had no other choice but wait by the door for them to finish.

***

Inessa waited with Indenuel as the carriage came to the door. Indenuel smiled brightly, letting go of her hand and heading over to it. As soon as it stopped, the twins jumped off and ran toward Indenuel. Tolomon moved passed Inessa to go greet them. Inessa watched the greeting, saw how the twins kissed Indenuel’s cheeks before running into Tolomon’s arms and he hugged them, twirling them around. Indenuel stood as he talked to Matteo, his arm over his shoulder. Inessa swallowed, waiting. She watched these two men who clearly loved these children with everything in their being, and she began to wonder what was wrong with her. The motherly instincts of taking care of children had been for women, and she resented raising her own siblings. Yet these two took in literal strangers and loved them like they were their own.

None of the children came to her, and Inessa felt no need to go to them. She looked down at her hands, waiting for the greeting to be done. They hadn’t seen Indenuel in a while, since last week he was in the dungeon, and the week before that was the wedding.

Two weeks. They’d been married two weeks.

Indenuel and Matteo walked in the house, talking quietly amongst each other. Inessa expected Indenuel to take her hand, but he didn’t, still asking about Matteo’s schooling. Inessa ran a hand through her hair as Tolomon followed after Indenuel. He turned when they were at the door, letting the twin girls down.

“Coming, Inessa?” he asked.

“Yeah.” She headed toward the door. “Of course.”

She smiled as she walked closer to the door, but it dropped the moment Tolomon had his back to her.