Chapter Three

"There's no piss-off clause, and he's included a solid fidelity clause that applies to both of us. How could Father do this to me?" As soon as Orion had read over the surprisingly brief marriage contract, he knew he needed help and his older brother, Onyx, was the first person that came to mind. "I expected this thing to be pages long. You know, a million clauses that would give me a loophole so I can get out of this, but there's nothing here." He slapped the single piece of paper on Onyx's desk. "It's almost an insult on how basic this is."

"Yes. Unfortunately, this looks exactly as it appears – a marriage contract hashed out between two drunks who seriously don't know any better." Onyx sighed. "The only problem is that's it's already signed, and a copy lodged with the World Council."

"But my signature's not on it." Orion tapped the paper. "Prince Vincent's is, and so is Father's, but surely if I went to the council and explained that I wasn't even consulted…" He trailed off as his brother shook his head.

"Technically, and this is simply within the parameters of World Council policies regarding these matters, what Father did was perfectly acceptable. You are his youngest son, and you live under his roof, implying to the council that you're still under his rule, which again is also true. He had every right to sign the contract on your behalf as he is our king."

Orion and Onyx shared a long look. The ‘in name only' was understood between them even if the words were never spoken out loud. If it wasn't for Onyx, Tyrion would have fallen to rack and ruin years ago.

"I don't know what I'm going to do," Orion groaned as he slumped in the nearest chair. "I mean, all right, I had to marry someday, maybe. But I thought I'd end up with a society wife who was happy enough to live in the castle and leave me to keep running my businesses. Mother said I have to be prepared to travel with Prince Vincent within two days. Two days!"

"What's the situation with the mine right now?" Onyx looked understandably worried. Orion and Onyx had been working on a small mining project up in the hills of Tyrion, previously believed to be completely useless for anything. But then a random find one day of a small crystal in a cave by one of the locals led to geological surveys and the setting up of Tyrion's first ever mining complex. If it proved fruitful, it could seriously reduce the need for Tyrion to purchase the magical crystals they needed from Marinkaw.

"Ryan sent me a report yesterday and claims they have located a small seam of what looks like the magical crystal. I'm still waiting for our magic users to determine how effective the crystals might be, but all indications are that the mine could be productive within six months." Orion shook his head. "So much work has gone into this and now…"

"Getting a positive result from that mine would help the country's finances, as well." Onyx opened the drawer of his desk and pulled out a bottle and two glasses. "Father's man is doing as much as he can to keep him from gambling away the castle, but he's limited to what he can do."

"Father wouldn't gamble away the castle – he wants his bed to crawl into when he's done making a fool of himself in front of friends," Orion said bitterly. "But he doesn't think anything's wrong with signing away his son's life over a freaking game of cards. If it had been with anyone else, someone local for example, then it might not have been too bad, but Prince Vincent?"

"Apparently the wager was Vincent's suggestion."

Orion met eyes so like his own. He and Onyx looked very similar, although Onyx was two inches taller and looked tired. They shared the same dark hair, gray eyes, and sharply defined features. Although Onyx wore the responsibility of his position hard, so while he was only six years older than Orion, he looked at least ten years his senior and that was being kind.

"What do you mean, this was Prince Vincent's suggestion? He and I don't even know each other. We've never spoken, not once in the times he's visited Father. I didn't even realize he knew of my existence."

Onyx shrugged and poured them both a drink. "You know Peter keeps me informed on Father's nights out – he's been amazing in doing that. Well, according to him, he was at the game, and when Father had lost all of the coin he had on him, he should've just folded his hand."

"It's what a gentleman would do."

"Exactly," Onyx said grimly, "and we all know how much of a gentleman Father can be when he's had a few wines and determined to win at all costs. He did not want to fold. It was Vincent who suggested Father could continue playing that hand, if he wagered something else. When Father was looking around to see what he could afford to lose, Vincent said he'd been thinking of getting married and would Father agree to throwing in a marriage contract with you as part of the deal."

"Do I want to know what Father would've won if he'd had the winning hand – just more coin I suppose." Orion wasn't sure his situation could get any worse.

"Pretty much."

Orion looked at his brother closely. "You don't want me to complain to the World Council about this, do you?"

"I hate to say it, but I'd rather you didn't." Onyx pushed over one of the glasses. "If the World Council comes here, then they're going to see that Father's not competent. It would be a huge scandal. I'm not so much worried about myself, but…"

"It would impact Mother, your lovely wife, and Olivia and her marriage, too, most likely." Orion took a sip of his drink and nodded. "I do understand. I just don't understand why Prince Vincent chose me. From all accounts, the man can have anyone he wants just by holding out his hand and smiling at them. Honestly, if we'd had any contact at all, I'd believe he was doing this to mess with me, but he doesn't know anything about me."

"He's definitely been around the block a few times," Onyx agreed. "It seems like every week he's courting someone new."

"That's what I mean. Why marry me when he doesn't have to?"

"He's probably feeling his age, or maybe, and you know this isn't meant as an insult, but it's possible he thought you would be an agreeable husband who wasn't going to cramp his style."

"That document" - Orion pointed angrily at the copy of his marriage contract - "has no provision for a piss-off clause, and there's a solid fidelity clause that applies to both of us. He so much as looks at another person the wrong way and I can sue him for breach of contract. Hmm, there's a thought. What would that be worth to me?"

"Probably a sizable estate, and financial compensation for life. Face it, you could do a lot worse. No matter what happens, even if he was unfaithful, he'd have to look after you and you'd always hold the rank of Crown Prince Consort, and eventually King Consort of Faast. It's not like he can divorce you, even if you sue him for breach of contract."

Orion took a large swig of his drink and smirked. Who cared if it wasn't even lunch time yet. He was feeling reckless. "And his scandalous misbehavior can hardly reflect on the country of Tyrion. Perhaps Crown Prince Vincent should've put more thought into his actions. My dear fiancé might have no choice but to be unfaithful, if he's keen to remain as physically active, shall we say, as is reported about him. It takes a lot more to impress me than a killer smile and perfect teeth."

Putting down his glass, he added, "We'll have to arrange a solid messenger system as I have no idea where this prince thinks he's dragging me off to after the wedding. But I'll keep running the project as best I can, and if the goddess is smiling on me, then I'll be back here well before the six months is up and can oversee the next stage of the mine expansion."

Onyx chuckled. "And if by chance the crown prince manages to woo your heart, and you remain his loyal consort?"

"If the man truly wants to win my heart, then he'd better be prepared to roll up his sleeves and work in the mine alongside me. That is the only thing that would impress me."

"I almost feel sorry for Vincent. From everything I've heard, the only thing he's interested in is traveling and hosting parties when he's home. I'm sure he has no idea men like us even exist." Onyx raised his glass. "To working princes."

"To working princes," Orion agreed. He wasn't going to change that, and there was nothing in the marriage contract he was now bound by that meant he had to.