“We’ve collected all the necessary data to confirm your identities,” Ome glanced between him and his brother. “We’ll of course need to run a full health examination on you before the wedding, just so everything is up to date, but you’ll need to come to the hospital for that.”
“Does that mean I can go?” His brother stood without waiting for an answer, rolling down the sleeves of his Vail uniform. “There’s one last mock crime scene I need to set up.”
They’d all agreed to allow him to continue playing the part where that was concerned since he’d been doing it all semester already. With only a week left before their three-week break, not a single cadet had come close to catching him in the act, even with him lingering around the scene for a few minutes afterward, as was required of him.
At this rate, Rin would win, and he didn’t even have to do anything in order to. As soon as he’d discovered he was the killer, there’d been no reason for him to work on the case. He’d kept up appearances with his friends, going to the crime scenes with them if he happened to be there when they got the alerts, but otherwise always made excuses as to why Calder and Brennon hadn’t seen him actively working on it.
Usually, those excuses involved Kel. The second Rin mentioned the bedroom his friends tended to change the subject fast.
He felt a little badly toward them, since he was cheating and all, but since he’d been assigned the role of a criminal, he’d convinced himself he was merely leaning heavily into the part.
“Who’s the victim this time?” Kelevra asked absently.
“Cindy Hin.”
The Imperial Prince lifted his multi-slate and clicked a few buttons, eyes narrowing slightly a moment later. “And which one of you met with Cindy at the bar this summer?”
“He’s on Imagine.” The corner of his brother’s mouth turned up, a wicked glint entering his eyes.
Rin groaned and dropped back against the couch, covering his face with the back of his hand.
“That so?” Kelevra drawled, even though neither of them had verbally answered his question. Then there was a pause before he said, “You should be on your way, Sila. Wouldn’t want to keep Cindy waiting.”
Rin got to his feet, but almost as though he’d been anticipating that much, Kel was on him in a flash, planting a hand on his shoulder and shoving him back down with one hard move.
“I was talking to Sila, Flower,” Kelevra chided, bending down so they were at eye level. “Remind me, what’s your name again?”
“Sorry for interrupting, your majesty,” Ome said, and as soon as he had Kel’s attention, he waved the tablet. “The data has been officially submitted. From here on out, that,” he pointed to Rin, “is Rin Varun, and that,” then to his brother, “is Sila Varun. As requested, I’ve ensured any past medical files have been wiped from the systems.”
“Perfect,” Kelevra straightened but kept his hand firmly on Rin’s shoulder. “We’ll make an appointment with you soon for my Consort’s physical. That will be all for today.”
“Of course.” Ome bowed low and then returned the gesture to Rin before exiting.
His brother—Sila—stretched his arms and then nodded. “I’ll call you later.”
“He’ll be busy,” Kel stated. The two shared a look and then Sila gave one last nod and followed after the doctor without so much as another glance Rin’s way.
“Traitor!” Rin called after him, rolling his eyes when he heard his brother chuckle a second before the door to the penthouse shut behind him.
Their relationship hadn’t changed, even after they’d agreed to permanently swap their birth names. The only contact they’d had from their father had been one final attempt when he’d returned to Tibera, but after a conversation between the Emperor of Vitality and the Tiberan Empress, all communication had stopped.
He’d once felt trapped in his own skin, but now…Rin glanced up at Kelevra to find the Imperial Prince already closely watching him.
“Can we at least take this up to the bedroom?” he asked.
Kel grunted. “Know exactly what’s coming, do you, sweetheart?”
“I remember the photo I took with Cindy,” he admitted. “I’m guessing that’s what has you in a mood.”
“I’m not in a mood.”
Rin lifted a brow. “You’re not jealous, even a little?”
If their roles had been reversed, he certainly would be. Cindy was a pretty Junior at Guest who Rin had been introduced to at one of Calder’s parties. She’d been funny and kind, more introverted than some of the others he’d met, so he’d spent more time hanging out with her that night. They’d ended up getting a little tipsy and a friend of hers had posted a photo of the two of them, Cindy’s head on his shoulder, a smile on his lips.
“That depends,” Kelevra said. “Does she know what you taste like, Flower?”
He tapped at Kel’s wrist until the guy finally moved his hand, allowing him to rise to his feet. Then Rin stepped in closer. “Three minutes after that picture was taken, Calder threw up on his mom’s new carpet and the party came to a screeching halt.”
