“You still don’t think it’s him.”
“I don’t know what to think.The evidence you showed me is incriminating, but it doesn’t mean he’s the spy.He does gamble, and he does have a lot of debt that he could easily get rid of if he’s being paid for information, but I still don’t believe he’d do that.Spying on him for a few days will help you see that, and once you do, we can move on to the next suspect.”
Dimri didn’t appreciate being told he was wrong, but he could admit it was because he wasn’t used to it.He was proud of his work and of how good he was at his job.Hecouldadmit when he was wrong, though.He just hoped he wouldn’t have to.
“All right,” he said.
Roque arched a brow.“All right?Is that all you’re going to say?”
“What else do you want me to say?I already know I won’t be able to change your mind.I tried.If you feel that the best way to ensure that Abath isn’t the spy is to watch him for a few days, that’s what we’ll do.We can go over the list of people you suspect while doing so.That way, we can identify our next target.”
Dimri briefly wondered if Roque was planning something or if Berith had a conversation with him.This felt too easy.“Are you sure you want to take time off work?Because you don’t have to.It’s not the first time I’ve done something like this, and I’ve always been fine without backup.”
“It’s a miracle that you have.I know how dangerous your work is.”
“I’m used to dealing with danger.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have to, at least not on your own.Everyone deserves to have someone watching their back, and since Berith ordered it, that someone’s going to be me.So, when are we going?I’ll need to talk to Berith so he knows what’s happening.”
“Today.We don’t have time to waste.”
Roque nodded.“Glad to hear that you can at least accept that.All right.Let me go to Berith’s office to warn him, then to my room to pack a few things.Should I meet you here in an hour?”
“An hour will be fine.”
Roque nodded and got to his feet.“See you then.”
Dimri watched him leave.He only relaxed when the office door closed behind Roque.When he did, Dimri flopped back in his chair and tilted his head to look up at the ceiling.This wasn’t going to be easy, was it?And it had nothing to do with the work and everything to do with the demon who’d just left the office.They were going to have to spend a few days in close proximity, alone and with barely any distractions.What could possibly go wrong?
* * * *
“THERE’S ONLY ONE BED,” Roque said, sounding like an idiot as he stared at the room he and Dimri had just walked into.
There was a flicker of a smile on Dimri’s lips before he schooled his expression.“Your capacity for observation astonishes me.”
Roque glared at him.“Why would you get a room with only one bed?”
“I got the best room to watch Abath’s house from.I didn’t really care that it had one bed, and I still don’t.”He pointed at one of the two windows.“That’s where we’ll spend most of our time, anyway.We can take turns sleeping if it makes you feel better.”
Roque wanted to say yes, but not because it would make him feel better about the mess they were in.No, he wanted to say yes because it would be better for them not to share the bed.He had no idea if he’d be able to stop himself from reaching for Dimri if they did.Even if he didn’t do it consciously, he was a cuddler.He always slept wrapped around the people in his bed, no matter who they were.He was pretty sure that Dimri would stab him in the heart if he tried that with him, unfortunately.
The next few days were going to be hell.Roque and Dimri would be stuck in this room together, watching the house in front of the tavern.They usually started bickering as soon as they spent more than five minutes together.How were they going to survive this?Werebothof them going to survive it?
Roque grumbled and dropped his bag at the foot of the bed.He eyed the wide mattress again, then decided that there was nothing he could do about it, so why argue?If this was the only room that had a good view of Abath’s house and front door, Dimri had been right to book it.They were both adults.They could deal with sharing a bed.
“I didn’t realize you liked your comfort so much,” Dimri gently teased.“But I guess you’re used to living in the palace.”
“This has nothing to do with living in the palace.”
“Doesn’t it?I know this isn’t as comfortable.”
“It’s fine.Besides, I wasn’t born Berith’s bodyguard.I know what life outside the palace is like.”
Dimri’s expression softened.“I’m sure you do.Well, Abath’s at the palace at the moment, so we can take a few minutes to settle down.I’ve already talked to the tavern owner.I mentioned that we were newlyweds, so they won’t disturb us, and they agreed to bring up three meals a day.I hope it’ll be enough food for you, but just in case, I packed snacks.”
Roque stared at Dimri.He had no idea where to start.“You told the owner that we were newlyweds?”
“What better explanation for the fact that we won’t be leaving the bedroom?”
