When Valve reminded the newly engaged couple they still couldn’t spend the night together, Gauge let him do so. There were obligations to consider when a couple married on Winter, and, after tonight, Gauge found himself invested in the Tempest-Flicker merger of houses. As in, there was no way he could let it happen. It wasn’t all because of the imbalance of the triumvirate either.
The warm smile on Lexia’s face when she agreed to meet with Gauge about union models lingered like the memory of sunlight on his back. She was gorgeous with a good head on her shoulders, and a wealth of kindness lived in her heart. It was obvious by how she acted as public relations on Axis’ behalf, curbing his exposure to his phobia.
Every second in the same room with Lexia left Gauge more determined to win her over, but how could he do that while also sabotaging her marriage with Axis?
With a great deal of enthusiasm, the young couple excused themselves for an evening of indulgence—all pre-curfew of course. Meanwhile, Gauge tried not to imagine what Lexia would look like with her hair down and her back arched in ecstasy—All while he served as host until the last guest left his ballroom in the late hours of the night. He complimented Jan on a stellar evening before rushing away to his library where he bit his thumbnail and paced.
Gauge paced and paced until his legs begged him to stop, but he couldn’t see a promising way around this dilemma. He didn’t hate Axis. In fact, he rather respected the younger man, more so since learning some of what he’d endured as a child. But Axis was a rival for Lexia’s attentions, not unlike when they’d been children.
A knife twisted in Gauge’s chest. While he’d wanted Lexia’s time, he’d also wanted Axis’ approval. Even as a youth, Axis had outsized the older Gauge. He could pull himself up in the boughs of a tree and climb to the very top…
No.
This wouldn’t do.
Gauge poured himself gracefully into the nearest chair and ran a gloved hand over his face. The feel of the black leather on his skin frustrated him further. Axis never had to wear gloves, and what would Lexia’s skin feel like to Gauge’s bare fingers? Silky, he imagined.
This was pointless.
Gauge reached over and rang for Jan. The butler appeared promptly and bowed to his master, who waved off the formalities. Gauge said, “At ease, soldier. I need your guidance, not your pretense.”
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Jan fell into his relaxed stance: feet apart and hands clasped behind his back. He never loosened his shoulders, not completely. “Sir.”
“Tell me what you’ve gleaned from tonight’s gossip.” Everyone carefully measured their words around Gauge, making it difficult to learn anything useful from polite chatter. But Jan…
“Most everyone seemed curious how you thawed sector twelve enough to prepare the site for a new city without drawing attention to the project.
“There are questions about the cleanliness of the mines, namely how is all the rock dust collected and disposed of without respiratory exposure. Simple technical speculations, nothing to draw any suspicion.
“And Axis Flicker assaulted a loom foreman during routine inspection.”
It paid to have a spy on the payroll.
Gauge asked, “Was it the same man Mrs. Tenz named?”
Jan nodded. “Indeed, sir. Our man inside said Walker tried to sexually assault a young female inspector, and Axis intercepted.”
Interesting… “She was so fortunate our boy scout happened by in time to rescue her.”
“The man inside agrees. The timing is suspicious.”
Would Axis intentionally bait a predator with one of his own employees? Was that not exactly what Gauge would do? This didn’t seem damning enough to drive a wedge between Axis and Lexia, but it was a start.
Gauge stood and went to a desk in the corner. On his signature stationery, he read aloud as he wrote, “Our mutual friend, Mrs. Tenz, is doing well as a forewoman here in the crater. She named you as a reference for her employment. Would you care to discuss her performance history over a friendly match? PostScript: Please extend my invitation to Ms. Tempest should she choose to spectate.”
“Sir, if I may?” Jan rarely asked for permission to speak. The thirty-five-year-old former security agent seemed quite content to follow orders without question. Unless it endangered Gauge, of course.
He handed the missive to his favorite employee, saying, “Yes, Jan, go ahead.”
The spy-turned-butler looked uncomfortable as he minced his words. Eventually, he blurted, “Axis is the leading champion in all of Winter not because of his station, but because of his athletic prowess. Are you certain you wish to challenge him in your… condition…?”
Gauge had spent all day in public view of Winter, unable to eat, and he was weakened from it. The three consecutive songs with Lexia proved rather taxing on his tendons and ligaments. Jan was right to ask. Gauge reached over and put his hand on the older man’s shoulder. “Thank you, old friend, but I would like to try. You can deliver the adrenaline this time, eh? It should take you back to old times.”
Jan shuddered, and Gauge almost laughed. Neither one of them enjoyed those memories. He said, “Do you mind having a servant bring me dinner while you personally deliver the missive?”
“Very good, sir.” Jan seemed genuinely delighted Gauge was taking an interest in food.
Well, he ought to. Gauge would need all his strength to meet Axis on the mat tomorrow.
Before Jan could leave, Gauge said, “Oh, and have Walker arrested. He’ll make a fine addition to the Wall of Pain.”
The butler broke into a rare grin, “Yes, sir.”
It warmed Gauge to see it.