"I do, and I'll probably return soon because Idohave duties and responsibilities I cannot avoid forever.I don't even want to avoid them forever.I just wanted to see the world first, and felt that sort of experience would be a great benefit."
"I wish I could have traveled," Aurélien said."My mother does not approve of me, and my siblings distance themselves to remain safe from her wrath, so…" He shrugged.
Smiling wryly, Keone said, "My family loves me, but we have different ideas of what I should be doing at my age, so I left.I'll return someday to take up my duties, but whenIchoose to, not them."
Oh, to have that luxury.If he tried it, his mother would have him brought back one way or another—probably by hurting other people, since she could not hurt him.Or she'd have Pip kidnapped or killed.She couldn't touch him, but she certainly still controlled him.
Aurélien returned Keone's smile, but before he could speak further, Pip woke from her nap and all but threw herself into his lap in an unsubtle demand for attention.
Keone laughed in delight."Who is that little darling?"
"This is Pip.I got her a couple of months ago.She's very good at retrieving sticks and scaring away ducks."
"I see," Keone said with a grin."She's adorable."
Pip squirmed from Aurélien's lap and set to exploring.Aurélien reached into his pocket, retrieved a treat, and then held out his closed hand.Pip barked in excitement and came right over, pawing and nudging at his hand until she got his fingers open.
She wolfed down the treat, then looped around the fire and threw herself into Keone's lap.He smiled softly, gently, and petted her until she settled right back down into another nap.
Aurélien stared in astonishment."I've never seen her do that.She sleeps with me, in her basket or on the balcony in the sunshine.She won't go near my family, and only lets a couple of servants touch her.You must be quite something, Master Keone, to win my puppy over so easily."And didn't that set his heart to fluttering all over again.Dina had been the same way, as well as extremely protective.What would she have thought of Keone?
"Animals tend to like me.I think they sense a kindred spirit," Keone said."Would you like more tea?"
"Please."
When he'd poured the tea, he motioned to his enormous bag."There's food in there, if you do not mind fetching it.I would hate to disturb the little princess."
Chuckling, following his direction, Aurélien secured the packets, bundles, and pouches of food.In very short order, they had a nice stew bubbling and bread cooking atop embers.Instead of sitting opposite him again, Aurélien settled next to him, pulling his retrieved cloak up around his shoulders to further keep away the chill settling in.Summer was finally fading into autumn, the reason he'd chosen now to go berry picking, and soon the days would be as brisk as the nights.
As Keone was awake, it would make sense to go upstairs where they'd be much more comfortable, but for the moment at least Aurélien was perfectly happy to stay right here.The fire kept them warm, Pip was happy, and he had every excuse in the world to sit close to Keone and bask in his warmth and presence.
"Those are beautiful tattoos," Keone said, nodding at the thorny vines on his forearms, where Aurélien had rolled his sleeves up to work.
"Thank you.Do you have any tattoos?"
"No, sadly.I always wanted them, but it's…never worked out."Keone shrugged.
In his lap, Pip stirred, demanded attention from both, then pattered off to explore and find a place to relieve herself outside now the rain had eased to a drizzle.At least for the moment.Aurélien could definitely hear more thunder in the distance, and in another hour or so, it would be dark.Unless they wanted to do something foolish, like leave now and practically run all the way back to the palace in the storm and growing dark, they were here for the night.
He vastly preferred this to yet another tense, miserable meal with his family.Where his mother tormented him in every way she could, and his siblings cast him sympathetic looks but did nothing to actually help.
When the stew and bread were ready, Aurélien dished everything out and served it, and they ate together in a companiable silence that was like nothing he'd ever known.He fed chunks of meat from his stew to Pip, dipped the bread in the remaining broth, and could not remember a finer meal in his life.They finished it off with berries and tea.
As the fire died down, Aurélien said, "You know, I guess there's no real reason we have to remain down here, if you think you can manage the stairs.There's a bed up there that will be far more comfortable than this floor."
Something glittered, hot and delightful, in Keone's eyes.A shiver ran down Aurélien's spine.He'd just assumed his interest was entirely one-sided, unnoticed or politely ignored, but those bewitching eyes were filled with matching heat.
"I like the sound of a bed.Lead the way," Keone said as he used the bucket of water to ensure the fire really was out for good.They gathered up his things, the basket of berries that was still mostly full, and with a racing heart, Aurélien led the way up the stairs.
His little retreat wasn't much: an old, heavy curtain over the doorway to keep out the worst of the draft from the stairs, a tapestry he'd made over the door on the other side that led to a narrow balcony, old rugs scattered across the floor.The little woodstove with shelves made from stacked old crates holding tea, food, dishes, other little items nearby.The bed, a sturdy straw mattress he'd stuffed himself, was also laid across commandeered old crates, with another one serving as table and book storage beside it.Lanterns of various shapes and sizes were scattered about for light, along with old candelabra he'd filched from palace storage.
He'd also, with great difficulty, stolen an old reading chair, large and comfy, several blankets and pillows, and many other odds and ends.He'd stolen them, stored them in the old stable nobody really used anymore except exhausted servants looking to hide away for a few minutes at a time, then used an equally forgotten cart to bring everything out here.The chair and the stove had been the most difficult, but worth it in the end.
Setting down the basket and Pip, he went to light the stove.Hanging from the ropes he'd strung across the room were their clothes, still damp but significantly better than when he'd hung them up.The floor beneath the clothes was wet, but nothing that wouldn't dry just fine on its own by morning.He hung his cloak up on its little hook by the door, which had been there already, clearly installed when the tower was made, then finally turned to his guest, feeling oddly shy."You're the first person I've ever had up here.It's not much…"
"I think it's lovely," Keone replied with a warm smile that made Aurélien feel like butterflies were flitting about inside his chest."Thank you again for saving my life."He held out a hand, palm up, a quiet, gentle offer.
Aurélien took it, licking his lips."I hope you're not about to make a joke about repaying me."
