I shouldn't call them that. Mainly because I was one of them. And I don't mean as his lover. I was a claw in his Talon force. Definitely His Majesty's minion. As beautiful as this noble edifice was, I didn't want to enter it. But, as I said, I was the King's minion. And as he said, I belonged to him. So, clutching Kun-lo's case files to my chest like a shield, I followed the King—my lover and liege—into his castle.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I didn't like it. Didn't like it at all. Too large. Too bright. Too shiny. I scowled at everything I passed—from the polished stone floors to the curious courtiers. The garden had been beautiful, and I was suddenly glad that Tor'rien and I had our first sexual interlude out there.
Because I hated his castle.
Don't tell me hate is a strong word. I know words. Semantics. Whatever you want to call it, that royal house was too much for me. I didn't want to live in a place that I could also get lost in. Granted, the royal apartments were only a section of the castle, but even whittled down to the royal section, Tor'rien's home was enormous.
I didn't like it.
Couldn't work like that.
Too uncomfortable. Can't relax or focus. What to do?
I continued to clutch the satchel to my chest as I looked around the entry room of His Majesty's apartments, which was also his library. I had an apartment. He had a whole fucking collection of them that sprawled from the tenth to the fifteenth floor of the central castle keep. In case you're unfamiliar with castles, the keep is merely the middle part. The big, tall part.Then you have wings that extend out from the keep. And then the gardens, the courtyard, the stables, the barracks, and, finally, the castle walls to keep out the riffraff. I wished I were one of them.
Venturing out onto the balcony, I continued to scowl. I stretched my neck to see over the railing. Yes, of course. There it was. The very nook we had sex in. The King had a view of it from his balcony. Did he know that when he chose the spot? I suspected so. A romantic—that's what he was. His Majesty, the romantic.
Why did that make my scowl twitch?
I sighed and went back into the library. It hadn't bothered me the first time I'd been there, but then again, I knew I was just visiting. Now, I was staying. And I didn't know how long for. No, no, no. Didn't like it.
The King was talking to me. Or at me. Had been for a while. I was too lost in my head to pay him any heed. Upon arrival, I noted his guards. I recognized one of them but didn't know his name. He was on the balcony I had just vacated. Two more stood just outside the main entrance. And more had gone to the upper floors. Too many floors for one man. Even for two men.
“Tekhan?”
Ah, that was my name. I'd better respond. The King demanded a response when he spoke to me.“Yes?”
“The dining room is through here, but I've only just ordered our dinner. So, we can get you settled in here or my office. Which would you prefer?”
“Which is smaller?”
He frowned. “Uh, my office.”
“And where is it?”
“Just down the corridor.”
“Perfect. The office it is.”
“Are you all right?” The King asked as he led me down a hallway.
“Yes.”
“You seem upset.”
“I am fine.” I followed him into a room.
The King pulled a light cord, and the space came to life. Floors of pale wood, cabinets to match, and a white desk carved with trennor birds. I had expected something dark and regal. But that wasn't Tor'rien. Well, the regal part, yes, but he wasn't a man who liked darkness. He craved light, bright colors, and joy.
Why the fuck did he want me?
“You can work at my desk.” The King waved his hand to the expanse of white. There were only a few items on his desk—a leather blotter, an ink well with a pen, and stacks of papers held down with little objects. There was more than enough room for me. And even if there hadn't been, I could have made do with the floor. Or one of the two other tables in the room. Or the couch. Yes, his office was smaller than the library, but only because the library was enormous.
I set the satchel down on the desk and looked toward the tall windows. Dark out there now. And somewhere in thatdarkness, Hallaxgral walked unafraid through the city streets. Or perhaps he was inside, tormenting his next victim.
“The clue is in the case,” I murmured.
