When I stepped into their room, Liam and Sean set the book down and asked if I needed them. I had wanted a rough fucking, but I was not going to wake Ethan for that tonight. Liam and Sean both had bags under theireyes.
“What are you two still doing up?” Iasked.
“We thought you would be home soon and we wanted to be awake in case you needed us,” Seanexplained.
Sweetboys.
“I am home, now and I am tired as well. How about the four of you come to wake me up in the morning. But, not until sun up,” Iclarified.
“Yes, my Queen,” Sean and Liamrecited.
“Douse the lantern and go to sleep,loves.”
Chapter Seven
During my strollaround the castle grounds with Klyn, I saw Sean in the distance sitting at the base of a tree. He was slumped forward, and his head was tilted down. He looked upset about something. Ethan was walking towardhim.
“What do you suppose is on his mind?” I askedKlyn.
Klyn often had answers to most of my questions, even to the questions that surrounded mygentlemen.
“He is nervous about the pageant that is coming in a few days,” Klyn informed me as our pace slowed until westopped.
“Why would he benervous?”
“Sean is a very young man, Octavia. He is uncertain of his futurehere.”
Ifrowned.
“What?”
“He is afraid that room will need to be made for a new lad. He is concerned that you will replace him,” Klynexplained.
“I have given him no indication that I am replacing anyone, Klyn,” Ihuffed.
I was taken aback by Klyn’s comments. I was not replacing any of the young men. I adore Sean and could not fathom why he wasworried.
“Have you given him any reason to think that youwillbe retaining him?” Klynasked.
“Klyn—” Ibegan.
“Octavia, these are young men. Two of your young men would have places to go if you were to replace them. Liam and Ethan would be fine. Michan and Sean have nowhere to turn to. Try to understand where their worries areat.”
“Klyn, we can stop this conversation. I will not dump them out on the streets. I am not replacingthem!”
Klyn turned to look at me and said, “I know that, and you know that. But that young man leaning against the tree does not. Show them a little compassion. Whether you want to admit it or not, you have a heart. Showing it from time to time to them would not be asin.”
“We have had this discussion before,Klyn.”
“I am aware. Several times, infact.”
“Yet, you keep insisting that I have a mushy, caring,heart.”
“Youdo.”
“I lost my heart the night my family was murdered,” I remindedhim.
“You are wrong, my Queen,” he said under his breath as we watched and listened toEthan.
