Alexus straightens as we approach. “I don’t know if you saw anyone downstairs, but I was told dinner will be served within the hour.” He reaches over and opens the door. “I put your things on your bed, and the staff has provided a wash basin. I thought we might need to clean up before dining.”
All of which translates to:Get rid of him so we can talk. Also, I made sure your room is safe.
The prince presses his hands together. “Ah, yes. The staff has been working all day preparing quite the feast for your arrival. Shall I help you settle in, Colden?”
The moment draws out as I consider my answer, the air between the three of us awkward and tense. By the way he’s clenching his jaw, Alexus looks like he could bite a steel blade in two. His disapproval for my attraction to the prince is blatantly obvious.
It isn’t jealousy. I used to wish for that, that he would see me in a different light than just an immortal friend. And though we’ve explored certain temptations over the years, his heart is sealed away, something I accepted long ago.
To him, this visit with the prince is strictlybusiness. Nothing more. The boundaries surrounding such things are clear and firm, one of those being:No more fraternizing with gods, goddesses, godlings, kings, queens, princes, or princesses, Colden. It can only lead to trouble, so keep your dick in your pants.
I’m sure he’s right, and that I should absolutely keep my dick in my pants when it comes to the prince. But this life would feel even longer than it already does if I tamedeverydesire.
I’d settle for a kiss. One taste of the prince’s tempting lips. I might not even like it. I might feel nothing. Not a single spark. But I’m not against trying.
Alexus stares at me, and I can see the answer he wants me to provide to the prince’s question. It’s written all over his annoyed face.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine on my own,” I reply with a slight bow of my head. “But thank you.”
I swear I catch a hint of disappointment in the prince’s expression, though he smiles, runs a hand down the golden buttons of his brocade vest, and draws his shoulders back. “Wonderful. Then I’ll leave you to it.” We exchange nods, and the prince turns to go, though he stops and turns back. This time, however, his eyes don’t fall on me. He focuses solely on Alexus. “Mister Thibault, you’re certain we’ve never met?”
Alexus doesn’t move, but I see his brain working in those next few moments, and I recognize the suspicion in his eyes. “Not to my knowledge, Your Majesty. Pardon my boldness, but I know so little about you. I’m not sure where our paths could’ve possibly crossed unless you’ve visited the North.”
The prince’s face changes, a sudden mask altering his openness, shutting it away. “No. I’ve never set foot on the Northland Break. You just seem so familiar, that’s all.”
I lean into the door frame, resting my forearm across the moulding above Alexus’s head. He cuts a look at me. “It’s the black hair and green eyes,” I say, gesturing to the prince. “When I first saw you, I thought to myself,This handsome fellow could be Alexus’s kin.Quite similar features.”
“I’m sure that’s all it is,” the prince says with another smile, though this one doesn’t reach his eyes, and he doesn’t sound entirely convinced. “I’ll see you both in the dining hall shortly, then?”
We nod, and once the prince disappears into the stairwell, I level a look on my friend and lower my voice to a whisper. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
He arches a brow, matching my tone. “I think otherwise.”
“Nothing would’ve happened save for a little innocent teasing. We just met, for gods’ sakes.”
“And yet I can already see the way you look at one another. You two would’ve never made it to dinner if the gazes you shared were any indication.”
“And that’s a problembecause?”
He glares at me. “Do I really need to answer that?”
With a roll of my eyes, I push through the door to my room. Alexus follows, closing it behind him. My pack is on the bed, just as he said.
Alexus stalks to the window and peers over the vast countryside. “There’s something off about him. I can’t figure out what it is, but it’s there.”
I jerk the luggage close and unlace the straps. “I detect nothing but a nice, young fellow who happens to be the new prince of your former homeland.”
He huffs. “Nice? That’s not what I call any of this. He could be trying to seduce you for political reasons. Did you ever think of that?”
“Of course, I did!” I shed my jacket and dig for my royal blue tunic and gray trousers. “I was rather hoping he’d seduce me right out of my clothes and into this—” I pause and look up, taking in the gargantuan four-post bed that could have been more fun than this conversation. “My gods. You certainly know how to ruin a good time. Remind me to never bring you along on trips like this ever again.”
As I rip off my shirt and head to the wash basin, Alexus moves to the bed, stretching out and propping his feet up, hands behind his head. “If I weren’t here, there’s no telling what disaster you’d end up in. There are at least a few members of the Brotherhood in this palace somewhere. I’d bet the rest of my days on it. If I’m right, and I’m sure I am, they’re watching every move we make. Even if you can’t see them, I promise you they’re around.”
“And what am I to do about that?” I run my fingertips through the still-warm water. “We’ve discussed this. It’s best to come across as no threat. You’re the one acting like a godsdamn bodyguard.”
“Which is my job. They don’t know me, though, and I doubt they can sense my power with it bound up for Neri. You, however, are a different story. They’ll be even more suspicious now that you and the prince have clearly formed a liking for one another. All I can advise at this point is to go about the business we agreed to discuss. Make certain he plans to honor Regner’s treaty. Then, get any info you can on the prince himself and his plans for the Territories. Will he continue in the way of the Eastern kings with the Land Wars? Or is he truly planning to set this break on a different path than it’s ever traveled before? Do all that first, and then fuck him if you must. But his attraction to you and yours to him shouldn’t interfere with what we came here to do.”
I splash water on my face and grab a small lump of soap in the shape of a raven. It smells like lavender and vanilla.
