Morgan, age 32, City of Marin

"How do you know the Bluejay?" I asked in a hushed tone. I motioned for Corbin to stand.

His voice was held just as low, spoken with formality as he stood with his feet shoulder-width apart and his hands behind his back. It was a comfortable stance for him. "How does anyone know the Bluejay, Mistress? I was in need, and an offer was made. I accepted."

I listen to him closely. "So, you are from the kingdom of Bajaden? You have defected? You don't seem to have an accent."

"I am... not at liberty to discuss this, Mistress. I am hoping the Bluejay's letter is enough for now."

I studied him for a time, taking in his hard physique and confident manner. I walked around him, looking at him from all angles. The scrutiny didn't seem to faze him. He's used to being inspected. A soldier, perhaps?

I stopped in front of him again, crossed my arms, and lifted my head to look at him. "So, you wish to be a part of my Household guard. Why?"

He kept his head bowed. "I was told that you had an opening. I am willing to prove my fighting skills and swordsmanship are top-notch. My ability to lead is better, but I understand that I would not be starting at the top. In fact, I prefer not to do so."

I made a sudden realization. "You need to hide."

He sucked in a breath and glanced at me before averting his eyes again. "Yes, Ma'am."

"From what?" I instinctively asked before holding up a hand. "No—wait, I don't want to know. You are right. The Bluejay's letter is enough." I paused. "Are you aware that you will have to fight for rank?"

He nodded. "I am aware of the ranking system in the Household, Mistress. I will challenge if I see that I can do better than what is being done."

Good answer. "And you understand that this is not a hired position but that you are applying to be a submissive in the Household?"

"I do, Mistress. I have longed for such a position."

I paused at the personal reveal. If he's from Bajaden, and he's a submissive man, that would not have been an easy life for him. I put two and two together. "You joined the military to be of service."

He swallowed. "In a way, Ma'am."

I wanted to ask so many more questions, but I trusted the Bluejay. "Guard!" I called. Immediately, the door opened, and the summoned man entered. "Come and take this man to the quartermaster. See that he is fed, given Household livery for the guard, and placed in the barracks. Then, have him returned to me to sign his contract."

"Thank you, Mistress," Corbin said before pivoting on a heel to follow the guard from the room.

"And send down to the kitchen for Vanusia," I added. "He may return."

"Yes, Mistress," the guard answered.

When the door closed, I quickly burned the letter, feather and all, in the fireplace, being sure to leave no traces. I went to my desk and sat, pulling out the appropriate tools to pen the dismissal letter for Faryn before drawing up the contract for Corbin. I was signing the first of the two documents when Vanusia returned, refreshed tray in his hands.

"Your hot tea, Mistress," he said with a flippant flourish when he set it on the table. We both knew very well that the tea service he had taken away had been perfectly fine.

I nodded. "Thank you, Vanusia. I hated to send you out, but it was necessary." I looked at him pointedly. "What you don't know can't hurt you."

He inclined his head. "I understand, Mistress. I appreciate your concern. I take it that we have accepted the man?" He began to fix my tea.

"Yes. I cannot explain it any further than that. He has assured me that he is qualified, but I will still have the Captain put him through his paces."

"Well, at least you are not making him Captain right out of the gate," he said, sarcasm dripping as he handed me a delicate cup and saucer.

I raised an eyebrow in warning. Usually, I didn't mind his casual way with me after all these years, but sometimes, he toed the line. This was one of those times. He caught my look and huffed, turning to fix tea for himself as I sipped.

"He actually requested to start at the bottom, so don't worry yourself about it," I explained. "Besides, this does solve our problem of replacing Faryn, so I'm counting this as a fortuitous win."

"Fortuitous, indeed. In fact, it makes one wonder..." His voice trailed off, leaving the implication hanging.

Did the Bluejay orchestrate the opening? That Faryn got caught at this moment in time seemed a little too easy. It was likely that I would never know. I thought about the contract for Corbin to hide my burning curiosity. "I am going to write Corbin's contract for a trial year. After that, we will reassess his standing. I was asked to take him in, but nothing says I have to keep him over long if he does not suit us."

He nodded, "Wise. You always look out for the Household. Let me get you the template." He searched the files behind his desk, a smaller version of mine set off to the side, and brought me a blank contract. It specified that we would provide housing and care for the signee as a member of the Household in exchange for their loyal and steadfast service for a year and a day. I added that the assignment would be for the Household guard or other duties as assigned as they met his abilities to fulfill.

As I finished, the guard at the door knocked yet again. I bade him enter, and when the door opened, the Captain of the Guard stomped into my office.

"You're dismissing Faryn?" he demanded to know.

I cocked an eyebrow and sat back in my chair. No one, not even the Captain of the Guard, not even when he was my lover, addressed me in such a manner. I folded my arms and waited.

"Well? Are you?" he hissed.

Vanusia spoke as I glared. "Perhaps, Captain, if you want an answer to your question, you might do better to approach our Mistress in a more appropriate manner." The tone of his voice did not match the politeness of his words, the warning clear.

The Captain scowled and stepped forward. "Faryn is the best man I have. You cannot dismiss him."

I pushed myself out of my chair and strode around the desk to stand toe to toe with the Captain. Here? In the Household? This was my domain, and he needed to be reminded of that. He didn't scare me.

I pointed to the floor. "Get on your knees and apologize for barging into my office so rudely, Captain, if you do not want to join your comrade in arms in his fate."

His nostrils flared, and his jaw worked as the heat spread up from his collar. The vein in his forehead that marked rage pulsated, but I held my ground. Silence filled the room. Not even the guards at the door, who were watching the exchange, seemed to breathe.

"That was an order, Captain," Vanusia said, standing. "She will not ask again."

My heart hammered as I stared him down, our eyes locked in battle. I could not give in, and so I would not. The Challenge system might rule his life, but it did not rule mine, and he had no right to behave toward me as he did.

Vanusia motioned the guards forward into the room. The two men flanked the Captain, waiting to gauge his next move. They wouldn't hesitate to engage him if my life was endangered. "Captain..." one of them began, pleading.

He closed his eyes and sighed, deflating. He sank to his knees before me, clasping his hands behind his back and bowing his head. "Please forgive my rudeness, Mistress. There is no excuse."

I studied him. While I liked his sandy hair and green eyes, I enjoyed his body the most. I knew firsthand how powerful his arms, back, and hands were. He had the kind of build that was all strength, even if his muscles were not bulging. I'd taken him as my lover some months ago, but it seemed that he had gotten a little too comfortable. It was a shame; I liked him. But it wasn't going to last, I could tell. I couldn't afford to allow his attitude to continue.

The question was, what to do with him? He was legitimately qualified for his rank and damned good at what he did. I didn't want to remove him. No, my only recourse was to have him take on extra duties until I was satisfied.

"I have no choice but to dismiss Faryn. He made a mess that I cannot fix. I assure you that I am attempting to save his life by doing this. In the meantime, I am taking on a new man for the Household guard. I want you, personally, to see to his training."

"The Lieutenant usually trains—" he began.

"I don't care what that Lieutenant usually does, Captain. I am giving you an order. Or are you defying that one, too? Tread lightly."

"No, Mistress. I will see that he is trained to the best of his abilities," the Captain assured me.

"Do that. Now, you may continue about your day as long as it is not in my office."

"Yes, Ma'am." He rose, and the guards escorted him out as briskly as he had entered.

When the door shut, I pinched the bridge of my nose again. The throb had intensified. "I do hope that's the end of the crap I must deal with today."

Vanusia chuckled. "You know it's not. The Head Mistress will be here in two hours for a status update about the upcoming Gala. She's not going to be happy about Faryn. You know she is fond of him."

I threw up a hand. "Everyone is fond of him, Vanusia. That's what bothers me the most. He's genuinely a good man at heart. I just hope he doesn't try to do anything foolish like run away with the girl."

I sighed and returned to my desk and the awaiting afternoon tasks.