“Is that gold leaf?” I couldn’t keep the awe out of my voice as I walked closer to examine the treasure. I had a weakness for pretty things. Justin was a fine example.
Oss smirked. “I knew you would appreciate it. It’s been in Thorne’s family for centuries.”
I sat in the chair across from Oss to be closer to the stunning set. “It’s beautiful.” A spread of small pastries sat amongst the tea dishes. “Do you think we should wake Affie?”
“Let him rest for a bit. His stomach can’t take too much right away.”
A maid entered, set a tray of soup and water on the low table by Affie, then curtseyed before leaving the room.
“Why did you ask me to come over?”
“Lear visited last night. He shut himself up in the study with Thorne, but I heard him shouting about you being unreasonable. Thorne refused to share their conversation except to say you two broke up. Spill, I hate to be left out of the loop.”
“Let’s enjoy our tea first. I’d hate to ruin such a delicious brew with my angst.” I was in no hurry to share my heartache or the events leading up to it.
“I thought Lear bought you the best tea?”
“He did, but I must ration it out now, I doubt I’ll be getting any more.” It hurt to speak those words. After years of deprivation, I took my tea drinking seriously.
Oss poured me a cup. He didn’t bother asking me how I liked it. The luxury of cream and sugar still gave us rushes of pleasure. He laced my drink liberally with both before handing it over.
As Oss picked up his cup, a stray sunbeam reflected on the key-shaped wristbands he received on his first visit to the City of Magic.
“Do those hurt?”
Oss turned his wrists, exposing the Key imprints on his palms. When the City of Magic declared him their king, they wrapped claiming bands around his wrists and burned key patterns onto his palms. Luckily, he’d been unconscious for the vicious coronation. “Not really. Sometimes they ache when I go underground, but I think it’s more the city recognizing me than a real problem.”
He poured a second cup of tea and cursed when he splashed a little on the saucer. “You should invent a machine that pours tea.”
“Lazy,” I scoffed. “You just need to practice your host skills.” I took a sip of the soothing brew. Enjoying the companionship of a good friend to ease my troubled soul. To me, Oss had always been the protective big brother. That he had scared away more than a few thugs wanting to beat the crap out of me only reinforced that image.
I grew up in an orphanage until the caretaker raped and murdered my dearest friend. At nine-years old, I left traumatized and shaking, but unwilling to spend another night under that roof. Oss found me a short time later. We bonded as only those who rely on each other to survive can.
I took another sip of tea, humming at the taste. Spices slid across my tongue in a splendid combination of cardamom and honey. Even the tea Lear had brought me wasn’t this good. “Where did you get this?” I tipped my cup toward him.
“Brenson isn’t just a pretty face.” Oss smirked. “He’s got contacts with the other snooty households and gets the best stuff. Now, spill. What happened between you and your fancy lord? Thorne only said Justin was heartbroken. I know you’re in love with him so I’m assuming he did something stupid. No one throws away a perfectly good duke without a compelling reason.”
I burst out laughing and continued to laugh until my eyes teared up and I had to press a napkin to my lips to hold in the sobs. Trust Oss to get immediately to the heart of the matter. It took me a few minutes to regain my composure. “I’m really surprised Thorne didn’t tell you.”
“He claims he’s neutral which is lover code for he doesn’t want to fight over his idiot brother. Of course, he supports Lear, but he’s not stupid enough to say so. He enjoys all of his limbs.”
“I always knew Thorne was the smarter brother.” I offered a weak smile, then gave an inordinate amount of attention to my teacup.
“Tell me.” Oss’s limited patience had ended.
I set my cup down hard. At the loud clack, I picked it back up to check for damage. Luckily, I didn’t find any chips.
“Tell me what happened,” Oss snapped.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I kept my focus on the pretty teacup, tracing the golden flowers with my thumb.
“Marbrey, what did he do? He might be Thorne’s brother, but I won’t let him get away with hurting you.” Oss’s tone of suppressed violence warmed my heart.
I cleared my throat. “How do you know it was Justin in the wrong?”
“Because you’re crazy about him, and he’s a pompous ass no matter how much Thorne adores him.”
I laughed, a sad broken gurgle that had me blinking back tears. Damn, I had thought I was past my weepy stage. I folded my hands in my lap to stop the shaking. “He’s going to have an heir soon. I heard about it from the charwoman. He confirmed it when I asked.” My cheeks burned with humiliation.
