“You’re hurt, too.”
“Then maybe we should beat up whoever hurt the other.”
Dimri couldn’t help but grin.“That’s a good idea.”
It really wasn’t, but they were just joking around, so that was okay.Dimri couldn’t remember the last time he’d joked around with anyone like this.He’d certainly never done so with Roque.Until recently, they’d been at each other’s throats as they tried to find a way to work together.He had no idea where they stood now, but things were better.
He was glad.He didn’t know what would happen when they fought Ramiel or if both of them would survive.Maybe if they did, they could talk.Dimri didn’t know what Roque wanted from life, so it might be pointless, but it was the first time in years that he actually wanted to see where things went.He found Roque annoying, but dating Berith’s bodyguard would make things easier on Dimri.He wouldn’t have to hide what he did for the prince.Roque would understand when he had to disappear for a few days.Hell, he might even insist on coming with him.
But Dimri was getting ahead of himself.They first needed to survive Ramiel and his spies, which was what they were trying to do, but it was proving to be harder than expected.
“How long do you think we’ll have to hide here?”Roque asked.
“I don’t know.I need to call Berith and tell him what happened.He needs to know.Once I’m done, I’ll check the area around the house.If I don’t see anyone, we can go home.”
“You can call Berith, but once you hang up, you’re going straight to bed.You need to rest.”
Part of Dimri was annoyed at the way Roque was trying to take care of him, but another part loved it.He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had worried about him.Hell, he wasn’t sure anyone ever had.Part of it was on him because he’d never allowed anyone close enough.He hadn’t wanted to have to deal with the consequences of catching feelings for someone who might not understand his job or the secrecy that seeped into every aspect of his life.It had been easier to keep everyone at arm’s length and never allow anyone close enough to hurt him.
But that was what he’d done this time around.He’d allowed Roque in, and he was falling for him.What the fuck was he supposed to do with that feeling?How was he supposed to deal with it?
Pushing it to the back of his mind would be a start.He could allow it out once this mess was over and decide what to do.Besides, from the way Roque kept glancing at him, he was pretty sure that he wasn’t the only one to feel this way.He didn’t say anything about it, though.If they were meant to be together, they’d find a way to each other eventually.
“All done,” Roque said as he finished fixing the bandage on Dimri’s shoulder.“Now we both need food, a bath, and rest.Call Berith while I put something together for us to eat.Once that’s done, we’ll lay low for a while.”
It wasn’t the best idea since they’d just spent four days spying on someone who had ended up not being the person they were looking for, but Dimri wasn’t sure they had a choice.They were both wounded, and Roque had lost blood.They needed a good meal and sleep.Berith would be worried, but he’d know where they were, so everything should be fine.
Everythinghadto be fine.Dimri wasn’t going to allow Ramiel to win, especially not after he’d finally found someone he wanted a future with.That wouldn’t happen if Ramiel didn’t leave them alone, which wouldn’t happen unless he was dead.The only way to win this was to kill him.
Dimri was more than willing to do just that.
Chapter Seven
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THE SOUP WAS NOTHINGspecial—dried meat and vegetables Roque had found in the cupboards that Dimri hadn’t even remembered were there—but it was hot, and that was what mattered.Dimri filled two bowls and handed one over to Roque, who took it with a smile.
“This is good,” Roque said after his first spoonful, though his expression suggested he was lying.
“It’s good enough,” Dimri replied.“You did a good job.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes.The safe house was quieter than the palace could ever be, but it wasn’t unpleasant.It was peaceful, even though there were people out there who wanted to kill them.
“How long are we staying?”Roque asked.
“A few days.Maybe a week.”Dimri set down his spoon.“Berith’s orders.He wants to see if we can draw the spy out.”
“Do you think it’ll work?”
“I don’t know.”
As he’d shown before, Roque wasn’t built for hiding and waiting, so this had to be hard for him.They’d already spent four days holed up in the tavern in front of Abath’s house, and now they had to hide here for who knew how long.
“You’ve worked for Berith for a long time,” Dimri said, more to fill the silence than because he needed the information.He already knew how long Roque had worked for Berith.
“Seven years.”Roque’s expression softened.“Since Cyrea was born.I was assigned to protect her first, actually.”
Nowthatwas news to Dimri.He knew that Roque had been with Berith for that long, but not that he’d been meant to be Cyrea’s bodyguard.“The princess?”
