“No need, I was merely sipping at it for something to do,” the prince replied, an amused edge to his tone as he spoke.
“I must insist?—”
“And I said there is no need.” The tone of his voice was no longer amused, but brooked no argument. He was a prince, after all, and used to being obeyed.
“I… yes. Sorry.”
“That’s quite alright.” Jarryn abandoned his previous conversation partner and turned bodily to face Leander. “Now I am new here and you will have to forgive me. You know who I am, but I have no idea who you are.”
Leander wanted the ground to engulf him, to sink into the earth and fade into nothingness as he realised he would have his flaws laid bare for this man to see and judge, the minute Prince Jarryn learnt his name. Would that he could turn his back on the prince and pretend he had not heard, but that would have created more of a scene, and Leander was vaguely aware of courtiers not-so-surreptitiously watching and listening.
Gods damn them all.
“Leander Talius, Your Highness.”
The prince blinked twice, so fast Leander almostmissed it. “The disgraced demigod. I had been told you also sought sanctuary here but had not expected to bump into you.”
There was none of the sycophantic reverence that Leander had grown accustomed to in Jarryn’s voice. The prince was not in awe of him like so many other people seemed to be. It was refreshing. It was also a little unnerving.
“That’s me. A disappointment to everyone I meet,” Leander said lightly.
“Oh, I never said that. I said you were a disgrace, not a disappointment. In fact, I would bemoredisappointed if I were to meet a squeaky clean god. Sounds rather… unnatural. Inhuman.”
“But we’re not human.”
“Well, you are now. As human as they come. Or so I’m told.” Jarryn tilted his head to the side, examining Leander. “I do so hope your crime is a worthy tale. It would be a shame if we both found ourselves seeking refuge accused of an indictable offence we did not commit.”
“I am certainly responsible, Your Highness. It’s just a shame I was caught.”
“Bold of you to be so confident in present company as a self-confessed criminal. I can’t imagine Saeren’s most affluent are pleased with your presence.” He glanced around. “But it seems that everyone here is dying to meet you. Must be something in the water, to make you so irresistible, so admired without ever having to put any effort in.”
Prince Jarryn was a contrary individual. Leander couldn’t tell if the attractive prince liked him or not, whichmade it difficult for him to come to his own conclusion about Jarryn. Even Aesthesia was no use: Jarryn was a prince, raised by the most militant etiquette instructors. He would know better than anyone how to suppress any undesirable emotions. Or at least hide them behind adamantine barriers.
“You would be surprised how keen the aristocracy of Saeren is to meet a god, even a fallen demigod. They seem to believe I still have some influence. My father has grouched to me almost daily of the sheer number of libations left at his gate for me already.”
“Indeed. And how do you feel about your worshippers seeking you out as a mortal, looking for your blessing?” The prince sounded genuinely curious. It was invigorating to have an authentic conversation with someone for once this evening.
Leander considered his answer for a moment, unsure of how he actually felt and he wanted to know that for himself before presenting his answer. Such was his desire to have an earnest conversation with Jarryn.
Finally, Leander responded, “It satisfies me. To know that I am still important to so many. And I am humbled and honoured to think that people covet that which only the divine can offer.” He took another sip of his drink before glancing around. The surreptitious glances has become more overt stares. “Before now, I had not spent much time around mortals. I answered their prayers, but I did not walk among men for any extended period. This is new to me and… honestly? It has been a privilege.”
Jarryn listened with rapt attention, nodding along at allthe right points. “It is a shame you only discovered that when it was too late.”
“Quite,” Leander agreed.
Leander didn’t like people, but he did like followers and he liked the rush he felt when someone offered a gift of oblation to him with their prayers. His domain was small but not unimportant. And Leander liked nothing more than to feel purposeful… or even essential.
“Well, I was glad to have met you… properly, Lord Leander.” Jarryn said with a weird smile on his lips. “Perhaps we might bump into each other again.”
Leander swallowed and nodded, once again mortified by his words and actions of the other night. Maybe it was something he could be forgiven for, but he would never live it down. “And you, Your Highness.”
Chapter Five
Walking back to the Talius residence, Leander’s hand was held tightly by Faye, Venser’s only child, while his other arm held the dozing form of Verin’s youngest, Everly. Alix, Verin’s son, was only eight, but was quite obviously too old to be holding anyone’s hand and bobbed along next to Faye, talking their ears off. Behind them, Kira brought up the rear, deep in conversation with her father, who had joined them for their outing, acting as the responsible adult because clearly Leander couldn’t be trusted alone with four children.
Venser was absent, having taken the opportunity of no work duties and a childless house to spend time with his wife, Siri, whom Leander had yet to spend any meaningful time with.
A slave opened the door to the residence and the weary but happy group traipsed in one by one. They each filed into the drawing room, where there were seats aplenty for them. As he sat down, Everly stirred, waking up andrubbing the sleep from her eyes. Groggily, she glanced around to ascertain her surroundings before shifting to sit properly on Leander’s lap.
