Francis looked at the body of the pillar and its strange machine, wondering what thistelefoncould do.
Hasim had a brief conversation in Turkish with the baton, his eyes going wide in alarm.
“What? What’s the matter?” Francis asked.
“We must return you to the palace at once,” Hasim said, setting down thetelefon. “Prince Francis was injured in the tournament today.”
Oh, dear.
“Injured how?” Francis asked, worried about Archie.
“A strike to the face during the boxing match.”
“Good heavens!” Francis said. “Is he seriously hurt?”
“He is conscious and alert,” Hasim said.
Francis sighed in relief. “Then I’m sure he’ll be fine but, yes, I suppose I should go and check on him.” He paused. “What were you going to tell me earlier?”
Hasim shook his head. “It can wait. We must check on your prince first.”
Francis bit his lip against saying something abouthis princehe may regret later.
“Yes. Let us talk later, then.”
Chapter 14
The ride back to the palace was tense.
Francis, for his part, was worried about Archie. He had no idea what the injury was, nor how serious. Francis blamed himself for putting Archie in this position; he should’ve been the one competing, not Archie.
Even with all of this at the front of his mind, Francis was also thinking about Hasim and his offer. How could he not? Yet he felt guilty for not focusing totally on Archie. His mind flipped back and forth between worry over his dear friend, and turning over what Hasim had confessed.
I feel alive again.
I will be in no one’s bed but yours, if it pleases you.
Yes, it would please Francis very much, and it did soothe some of his concern to hear Hasim promise that. Francis had absolutely no problem with people doing as they pleased and sharing bed partners, but when it came to himself, if he truly cared for someone, he would prefer not to share.
If that made him selfish, so be it.
He’d only known Hasim a few days, and his logical mind told him that it was far too early to know someone, judge them, or even promise anything…but his heart said otherwise. His heart said, this one.
This one.
Francis glanced over at Hasim beside him, who was gazing out at the streets and appeared to be lost in his own thoughts.
Yes, they would have to talk.
Later.
First, he had to see to Archie.
They had to ride the tram to the palace, and for once Francis wished it would go faster than its leisurely pace.
The sun had already set, turning the sky hot pink. Finally, they arrived at the secluded servants’ entrance, and Francis was all set to storm the palace, but Hasim caught his sleeve and gestured for him to follow.
“This way,” he urged. “Royal infirmary.”
