Page 38 of Quest of Fools

The house smelled of dust when they entered, with a hint of rotted flowers.

"Did you deal with the problem?"a voice called out, sharp and ringing.A frisson ran through Warf, like icy fingers trailing along his spine.Lady Clarkson.He'd known he'd see her again, hear that voice, but it was still jarring.No good memories were associated with that voice.

Or that face, as she came into view, footsteps ringing on the smooth, wooden floor.She froze in the doorway, face draining of color, eyes widening."You," she spat, gathering herself and staring at Warf like he was a snake."What are you doing here?"

"Retrieving my betrothed," Warf said, surging forward, causing her to retreat in a near-panic, until she was pinned against the back of a sofa, boxed in by Warf and the others.In the light of the fire off to the right, he could see the bags beneath her eyes, the lines etched deep into her face, what looked like a bruise low on her left cheek.She was exhausted, had clearly pushed too hard.Whatever fight might be left in her, she was too worn out to muster it.

Viletti stepped forward."Lady Clarkson, you are under arrest for assault, kidnapping, egregious abuse of employees, and many other things.If you wish to contest these charges, you may do so before the magistrate in not more than five days.Have you anything to say?"

"Fuck you, he'smine," she said, glaring hatefully at Warf again."Why would he choose Low City trash like you overme."

"Assuming you think I'm too big, too ugly, too poor, and too ignorant… I also know how to listen when someone tells me no.I honor my promises.I don't go seeking to hurt people.I would never leave a person to die, especially not someone who served me faithfully for most of his life.Your beauty and wealth don't make up for the ugly heart and absence of basic decency.Where is he?"

She said nothing, but that was fine.He would search this house room by room, closet by closet, nook by nook if he must.Marian was here somewhere.Warf turned way, ignoring when Clarkson shrieked epithets behind him, the sound of her moving toward him before Viletti dealt with her.

He didn't give one single damn about that woman.All he wanted was Marian.

Upstairs.If she was keeping him anywhere, it was upstairs, where it would be far more difficult for him to escape.Warf hurried up the winding stairs to the second floor, hovering on the landing briefly before following what looked like muddy boot prints off to the right.

The boot prints continue on, fading off about halfway down the hall, but that was all he needed.The dusty carpet in front of one door had been partially cleared away, as if from the door opening.Strange the house was so filthy, when surely it would have been closed up properly after the last visit?Whatever, he didn't care.

Surging forward, he grasped the handle and—locked.Of course it was.Huffing in amusement, Warf braced himself and threw his weight into the door, which sprang open, sending him tumbling forward, barely remaining upright.

"What in the—" Marian froze where he'd lunged up from the chair he was sitting in.He gaped, and then covered his mouth as he started crying."It— it can't—Warf?"

"Marian, thank the Fates."Warf surged across the room and swept Marian up into his arms, breathing in the familiar scent of flowers, savoring the weight of him, the heat of his body.He was lighter than he'd been, skinnier, clearly in need of several good meals, but he was there and alive and not harmed beyond repair.

"I can't believe you're here, you crazy bastard," Marian said, laughing-crying as he drew back enough to speak.If he cared that Warf was holding him up high enough his feet didn't touch the ground, he made no show of it."What are you doing here?"He wiped his face, but the tears weren't ready to quit just yet.

Warf kissed his cheek, then held him close again."Did you really think I'd just let her steal you away from me, from us, without a fight?We're promised, you and me."When Marian lifted his head again, he smiled and added, "Would have been a bit awkward to have you missing at the wedding."

Marian let out a wobbly laugh."That is a good point.I can't believe you came for me.What about your daughters?Are they all right?"

"They're not happy I took off, but I left them in Rath's care, and he wouldn't allow so much as a fly to land on them.They'll be ecstatic when we both arrive home."

"You are thebestbetrothed anyone could have, and I don't deserve to have you as mine," Marian said, then grabbed his face in both hands and kissed him.He tasted stale, faintly of blood, and his lips were chapped and cracked, but fuck if it wasn't the best kiss Warf had ever had, because it was Marian, and he was alive and safe and free.

When they drew apart, he gently set Marian back on his feet."Are you all right?Any injuries?"

Marian shook his head."Just soreness and exhaustion from so much traveling, and she liked to punish me with starvation.Where is she?"

"Knowing Viletti?In chains, gagged, and lucky if she isn't dragged home in a crate."Warf gave a soft, rueful laugh."You always expect more of these big moments.Finally facing her, defeating her… but she was too tired and scared to fight back, and stood no chance against Viletti anyway.So many months of work for something so anticlimactic."He cupped Marian's face in one hand, smiled as Marian leaned into the touch."Nothing anticlimactic about seeing you again, though.Come on, let's go rejoin the others.I've got quite the tale to tell you."

Marian closed his eyes, as if trying to savor the moment."I can't wait to hear it, down to the last detail.You really came for me, even though you didn't need to."

"It's not about need, it's aboutwant.I fought for a better life, and now I'm fighting foryou.I know you would have done the same for me."

Opening his eyes, Marian smiled in that soft, gentle way of his."I would have.Thank you for coming.I was afraid I'd wither and die here, or that even if I did escape, the future I'd hoped for with you would be a lost past."

Warf took his hand, kissed the back of it as he had so many times with his wife when she fretted."Not a lost past, but a future waiting."

Marian smiled teasingly."You're awfully poetic for someone who claims to be a Low City nothing."

Warf laughed and led the way out of the room, down the stairs, following the sound of voices to rejoin the others.As they stepped into what looked like a sitting room or parlor or something, Marian made a pained noise and rushed across the room to Kaltin, grabbing him by the arms."You're alive!Oh, my Fates, you're alive!She left you there— I tried so hard—" He started crying again as he held Kaltin in a tight embrace."I'm so sorry."

Kaltin hugged him just as tightly."It's not your fault, my lord.You begged for my life, I heard you."

Warf's breath hitched.Kaltin had never told him that.

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