“No shit,” said Talon.“They actually did it?”
Kaz nodded enthusiastically.
“Good for them!”Tal’s grin brightened the entire room.“I’ll have to tell Em I’m proud of him.He’ll be so embarrassed, it’ll be great.”
Zane was happy for his friends.Everything recently had gone to shit, and it was good to find small moments of happiness where they could.Seemingly hearing Zane’s thoughts, Talon reached over and intertwined their fingers together.
“Kaz, I’m surprised,” Talon continued.“You’ve been in here for several minutes with us half naked and you haven’t propositioned us for a threesome.”
“I know, right?”Kaz groaned.“Now that I’ve met Yrza, it just feelswrongto sleep with anyone else.”She wrinkled her nose.“It’s disgusting.”
“I think it’s nice,” said Zane.
“That’s because you’re a monogamous freak,” Kaz said sweetly.
Somebody knocked softly on the still-open door.The three of them glanced over to find a maid standing in the doorway, her face red as she twisted her hands together.
“So sorry to interrupt, but the queen would like Emperor Zane to join her for lunch.”
Zane’s stomach took the opportunity to growl.They’d slept through breakfast.
“Guess we should get ready, then,” Tal said.
The maid cleared her throat.“I’m so sorry.The queen was adamant that she only wanted Emperor Zane and the Aztia.”
Talon looked like he was about to argue, but there was nothing this maid could do about it, so Zane nodded his understanding and thanked her.She dropped into a quick curtsy, then practically ran away.
A large frown had overtaken Tal’s face, and the levity of a few minutes before evaporated.
“I don’t like it,” said Talon.
“I don’t think we have a choice, my soul.We need her help, and if that means playing by her rules, then that’s what we need to do.It’s all politics.”
Talon obviously wasn’t convinced.“But what if something goes wrong and I’m not there to protect you?”
Zane smiled and placed his hand on Talon’s face.Tal leaned into the touch.
“I’m not incapable of taking care of myself, you know.”
“I know,” Tal whispered.
“Plus, the mighty Aztia will be there.We’ll be fine.”
“I still don’t like it.”
“I know.”Zane pulled him close and kissed his mouth gently.Kaz made a gagging noise behind them; he’d forgotten she was still there.Talon flipped her off while Zane laughed, then he stood from the bed and dressed to go to lunch with a queen.
WhenZanewalkedintothe small dining room, Iyana was the only one there seated at an intricately carved wooden table.He sat in the chair next to her.
“Did Kaz find you and Talon?”she asked nonchalantly.
“She did.Congrats, by the way.”
Iyana’s face turned a bright shade of red.Zane chuckled and winked at her, then leaned in close.“I’m happy for you two.Truly.”
“We’re not—” Iyana began, but she shut her mouth when the door opened again and the queen and prince consort stepped into the room.
“Thank you both for coming,” Camilia said.The monarchs sat in the chairs opposite them, leaving the heads of the table vacant.Uther never would have done that—he’d always needed everyone to know that he was in charge.It was a refreshing change.
