“We haven’t heard from Dorion,” I said later.
“It’s the middle of the night.” Lore’s arms tightened around me, and he nuzzled my neck with his nose, kissing a trail down my throat. “He’s probably asleep.”
“We should make sure everything’s alright. He was upset.” Awake now, I was worried.
Lore sighed and flitted from the bed, reappearing a short time later as naked as he was when he left. Moonlight outlined his frame, and despite everything weighing on us, heat sparked through me. We might not have much time left together, and the thought gutted me.
“Tell me you didn’t go to his room dressed like that,” I croaked, my gaze fixed on his tight abs.
His arms spread wide, and he looked down at himself, smirking when he lifted his head. “Dorion’s got one just like it, though I’ll point out that mine is better.”
“What is it with guys and their conceited pride about their cocks?”
“It’s a nice cock. Even better than nice.” He climbed onto the bed and curled around me.
“You.” I poked his shoulder. “What did Dorion say?”
“He wasn’t there.”
Unease gnawed at me. Dorion wasn't the type to disappear without explanation, especially not when Laphira was involved. “Should we look for him? He could be hurt.”
“We’ll give it until morning.”
He climbed over me, and I forgot about everything else.
We rose earlyto bathe and dress in leathers. Since we had no idea what the competitions would entail, we were going to dress as if we were going into battle. At our request, Moira and Calista brought food to our rooms. I wasn’t ready for a repeat of the dining room.
They stood by the door to the hall as we ate.
“Did you learn anything interesting?” I asked them around a bite of egg I washed down with a sip of tea.
Moira shook her head. “I couldn’t get anyone to talk with me, not even when I tried to discuss the weather.”
“They’re diligent.” Calista's tone turned sharp. “Much too focused on what they need to get done to bother with something as simple as that.”
“It might rain,” Moira said with a lifted brow. “If you have to go outside, you might want to know that.”
“How about you, Calista?” Lore asked.
“I spent my time in a different way.” A sparkle lit her eyes. “Istood outside doors and listened rather than outright asking questions.”
“Did you discover anything?” I finished my eggs and lifted a well-buttered horig muffin. I’ll say one thing for Naveer; she had an excellent chef. I wanted this recipe.
“There’s something odd about Princess Laphira. I heard one woman mentioning what a shame it was that she won’t be taking the crown.”
Lore took a horig muffin and sliced it open, lavishing it with butter and placing it on my plate to replace the one I’d consumed in about six bites. “Did they elaborate on that?”
I grinned and almost leaned across the table to kiss him. The only thing holding me back was Calista still speaking and my interest in hearing what she had to say.
“She's been promised to Lord Casteel.”
Lore's expression darkened. “Naveer's enforcer. Bad news in expensive clothing.”
Calista nodded. “He has an estate in the northern mountains and plans to take her there after the wedding.”
“When?”
“Within weeks.” Calista’s lips thinned. “Her son will remain here to be trained to take the crown when Queen Naveer deems it’s the right time.”
