“You had one stipulation,” Sila reminded, resting his chin on Bay’s right shoulder. “You didn’t want to come home and find him on the couch, remember? I took care of that issue. You should be pleased.”
“Did you buy a house to keep your professor on a leash?” Kelevra tipped his head. “That’s not an entirely bad idea.”
“There’s enough water in this pitcher for me to fill your lungs with,” Rin glowered.
“This has been fun,” Berga cleared his throat, eyes glued to his multi-slate, “but I’m needed by the Brumal. The doctor will contact me with any important test results, since I’m your best bet at finding an antidote, but until then, you’ve been ordered to remain in hospital, Sila Varun.”
“No, thanks.” He didn’t take orders, for one, and there was far too much that needed handling for him to waste time idling here.
“Bay’s already called out of work,” Berga said, a knowing glint in his eyes. “He can’t exactly call them back and say the emergency he reported was false and he can come in after all, now can he?”
Sila felt Bay stiffen in his hold and he felt a race of excitement that he banked down. They had an audience and now was not the time for play. He wasn’t even sure his body was healthy enough to get it up at the moment which, now that he was thinking about it…
“As soon as I’m better,” he promised the room, “I am going to brutally, unapologetically, murder Haroon Caddel. Just so we’re all on the same page.”
“Here.” Kelevra clicked a few buttons on his device. “I’ve just sent you the direct contact to my personal Cleaners. Make sure you leave them enough time to get the job done before anyone can stumble on the body. If you’re caught, you’re on your own.”
“Are you seriously helping him commit a crime?” Rin sighed. “This family is so fucked up.”
“Who’sfamily?” Sila stated. “You two aren’t married yet.”
“Don’t make me regret helping you out,” Kelevra told him. “I liked you better when you were pretending to be a nice guy.”
“Most people do.” Most people couldn’t handle the real him. Not like Bay could. He pressed his lips against Bay’s throat, just above the twist of leather. “Professor, the Imperial Prince is being mean to me.”
“It’s not like he’s one of my students, Sila. I can’t exactly dock his grades because you have hurt feelings.” Bay set both of his hands over his wrists and added in a cool tone, “However, Zane Solace is one of my students at the moment. He’s been a bit distracted lately as well. Has been late to several classes.”
“Are you,” it was hard to tell if Kelevra was upset or impressed, “threatening me right now, Delmar?”
“It’sProfessorDelmar,” he corrected snidely.
“All right,” Rin relaxed and said to Sila. “Keep him.”
“I was planning on it.” He grinned and even winked when that had his brother rolling his eyes.
“Let’s leave,” Rin grabbed onto Kelevra’s arm and dragged him toward the door. “He’s fine.”
“I’ll call you if anything changes,” Bay reassured, and Rin paused just before going and turned to look at him.
“My warning from before still stands,” he said, “Just to be clear.”
“I don’t like you messing with my things, brother,” Sila kept the smile firmly in place, though his gaze hardened some. “Unless you want me breaking rules, you’ll keep that in mind. I’m still curious which of us is more depraved, me or your Imperial Prince.”
“It’s you,” Kelevra answered without skipping a beat. “I’m down for a little knife play now and again, but bruising? Too noticeable.”
“You’ll forgive me for not taking advice from someone who’s spent their entire life standing in the light, wearing their proclivities for the entire planet to see.”
“You’re looking down on me.”
“That’s not a new development.”
“And we’re leaving now before one or both of us do something we regret,” Rin stated.
“Considering only one of us is capable of feeling remorse, brother,” Sila pointed out, “it’ll end up being you.”
He rolled his eyes again and took Kelevra’s hand. “Whatever. We’re out of here.”
Berga watched them go and then waved at Bay. “I’ll be back soon.”
