“No blood, I swear,” Talon said, showing his sword firmly sheathed at his side. Zane and the twins practically inhaled their soup. Feeling warm inside and out, he began to drift off in the chair. Tal awoke him with a gentle touch on his forearm and guided him upstairs to his room.
Exhausted, Zane only wanted to crawl into bed and sleep for a whole day. But there were other, more important things that still needed to be discussed.
“Should we find the others?”
“Nah,” Talon said, pulling off his shirt to get ready for bed. “I had to walk downstairs earlier because all kinds of noises were coming from the other two rooms, and here I was sitting by myself. It sounds like they finally tired themselves out, though.”
Zane was only half listening, instead watching the way Talon’s back muscles rippled with the movement of removing his clothes. He swallowed, throat bobbing. “Even Emmeric?” He hadn’t realized the other man was seeing someone.
“Yeah, he’s with Kaz. You’ll meet her in the morning; she’s a lot of fun.” Talon finally noticed the way Zane was staring at him, and smiled wide. “See something you like, Your Highness?”
Zane cleared his throat, his face flushing, suddenly grateful for the low lighting. “It’s been a long day.” He removed his own shirt, not missing Talon’s appreciative gaze. Normally he’d sleep with it on, but it was filthy and he didn’t want to bring the dirt into bed with him. Turning to toss it in the corner, he heard Talon’s intake of breath behind him.Shit.Zane froze in place, limbs locked, fists tight. He’d gotten too comfortable around Tal and had forgotten to hide his scars. He didn’t let anyone see this side of him, not even his dalliances. But the damage was done, and now his heart skittered in his chest, waiting for Talon to say something. Zane was too nervous to turn around, not wanting to see pity in Tal’s expression.
Zane inhaled sharply when he felt a light touch on his back. Talon traced one of the longest scars with his fingertip, reaching from his right shoulder blade down to his hip. Zane closed his eyes, trying not to relive the day he’d earned that mark. Uther had been more upset than normal because of some perceived slight from a courtier, and he’d taken it out on his son’s back, whipping him repeatedly with his leather belt. After that, he’d been confined to his room for an entire week, unable to be seen around the castle. It would have been too difficult to explain away the wounds still oozing blood through his shirts. Zane was thirteen. Nobody had touched him this gently in ten years, not since…but he didn’t want to think about that either. Tears sprang forth, a burning sensation in his sinuses. He had denied himself personal relationships for so long—he hadn’t realized his body craved this tenderness. Not just random sex, but an actual connection between two people.
“Are these all from your father?” Talon whispered. How he had intuited that information was beyond Zane; Uther kept his beatings private and behind closed doors. He thought nobody was aware they were happening. “I’m sorry he did this to you.”
“Don’t be. I earned most of them.” Zane’s voice was raspy, strained.
“I sincerely doubt that.” Talon pressed a chaste kiss to the top of the large scar at the base of Zane’s neck. And now the tears did fall, a sob lodged in his throat. “Oh, Zane, no, I’m sorry.” Tal came around him and cradled Zane’s face in his hands, wiping away tears with his thumbs.
Zane shook his head, gripping Talon’s wrists. Tal was a couple of inches taller, forcing him to tilt his head up to look into his eyes. “It’s not you, I just…”
“Just what?” Talon prompted, gently. Zane took a deep breath.
“Nobody has been this nice to me in years. Touching me like I’m someone worthy of gentleness.”
“Zane…” Tal’s hands lowered agonizingly slowly down his neck, chest, abdomen to the laces of Zane’s pants, and he stopped breathing. Talon noticed his stillness. “I’m not starting anything. These are filthy, and I’m not allowing them into the bed.” Tugging them down gently, Zane stepped out of his pants, leaving him in only his undershorts. Talon, at some point, had also stripped out of his pants.
“Come on,” Tal said, gently tugging Zane’s hand. Zane allowed himself to be guided into bed under the sheets. Talon climbed in behind him and wrapped hisbody around him. Their legs intertwined, Talon’s arm slung over his side. Zane took Talon’s warm hand into his own.
“Is this okay?” Talon asked, whispering. Zane shuddered, but he nodded. It was more than okay. “You are worthy, and you deserve so much more than gentleness. You are deserving of friendship, respect, love. I hate that your father has convinced you otherwise, and I will continue to tell you this until you believe it.” Tal pulled him in even closer. “Get some sleep, Your Highness.” Talon placed a soft kiss on the skin behind his ear.
Closing his eyes, Zane wondered if Talon felt how fast his heart was beating. His brain was screamingdanger, dangerfor allowing himself to get this close to someone, but his body molded to Talon’s so perfectly he couldn’t bring himself to care.
Chapter 35
Iyana
Iyana woke the next morning on top of the softest thing she’d ever slept on. She was clean and deliciously sore in all the right places. For a moment she was content, until she noticed Altair was gone. Again. But his side of the bed was cold this time, and he wasn’t sitting in the chair by the hearth. A breakfast platter with apples, pastries, and eggs sat on the low table between the chairs, a mug of hot coffee sitting next to it. The steam curling up from the cup enticed Iyana out of bed.
The fire had died down to embers, leaving a chill in the room. She pulled the blanket off the bed with her, wrapping it around herself for warmth. After taking a sip of coffee to warm her insides, she flicked her fingers towards the glowing embers. A controlled flame leapt into life, and Iyana smiled to herself at the accomplishment. She hadn’t burned down the inn! Wishing Altair was there to heap praise upon her, she curled her hands around the mug and glanced outside. The little northern village was just as adorable in the daylight, with sunlight causing the snow to sparkle. People buried in warm winter clothing bustled about their daily business. Iyana sat in one of the wingback chairs and dug into breakfast. Amazing flavors danced over her tongue, and she moaned at the taste. Altea take her, the food was delicious. Either the cook was a goddess or Iyana had been on the road for too long and was now accustomed to eating only jerky, nuts, and berries.
Once she had eaten enough to feed a family of three and her stomach was close to bursting, Iyana set out to find Altair. Reluctantly, she put on her clothes from the day before; they still stank. She made a mental note to wash them before they left. The hallway was quiet, and she padded downstairs on her bare feet. It was honestlyone of the best parts of being inside—she was able to take off her boots without Altair nagging at her like a mother hen. Iyana grinned at the idea of an ancient, immortal star being so concerned with the wellbeing of her toes.
Other patrons were filtering through the front door, an icy breeze taking every opportunity to sneak into the warm inn. Her star was nowhere to be found on the main level. She did, however, spy Talon sitting at a table eating breakfast, facing away from her.
“Talon,” she called. “Have you seen—” But as Talon turned to answer her call, she saw who was sitting at the table with him. Crown Prince Zane was casually eating a plate of eggs, and seemed as surprised to see her as she was to see him. Iyana was instantly back to the last time she’d the prince—in the garish throne room, Zane handing her over to Uther without blinking, the guards dragging her away. She’d beseeched Zane with her eyes for any kind of assistance, and he’d watched her go with a blank expression on his face. He didn’t even have the decency to look ashamed or apologetic.
Iyana tunneled into her magic with a swiftness she hadn’t yet been able to accomplish. Adrenaline coursed through her, her heart racing, thoughts jumbled. Why was Zane here? Why was Talon with him? Had Talon given her up? The last thought almost sent her to tears. She trusted Talon with her life, and if he was duplicitous enough to pretend to be her friend but plot against her, she’d never be able to trust anyone again.
Magic crackled in the air and over Iyana’s skin in silver sparks.
“What’s going on?” she whispered.
“Iyana,” Talon said, placatingly. He moved to block Zane with his own body. Iyana was taken aback. Talon was worriedshewould hurthim? Maybe the crown prince deserved a bit of pain for lounging in his plush bed, living a life of luxury while he left her to rot in the dungeons. Rage built up inside her, hot and potent. She would take Zane out, and Talon too if he’d switched sides, even if it would kill her later. Talon’s eyes widened as the magic built between them. Heat increased in the small space, creating a sweltering atmosphere. He wasn’t going to move out of the way.Idiot.
Strong, warm arms enveloped her, pinning her hands to her sides.
