“If you are in any way discomfited by the notion,” said Hull, as gentle as a summer zephyr, “you need but say the word.But my friends would be just as glad to meet you in turn.”
Ephraim doubted this.He scarcely believed himself interesting enough for Hull.To think anyone else might find him intriguing strained credulity.
But as his sweet Hull was an invalid at present, Ephraim indulged him on that point without further argument.
When the Holly King sent Hullvardr on his quest, he had made certain things perfectly clear (the danger posed to like-minded gentlemen in the mortal realm, the particulars of how his new master preferred matters in the office, and so forth).Other things he had strongly implied.Hull, growing more accustomed by the moment to how much the Holly King said by leaving certain things unsaid, had paid particular notice.The impression he had received was that Ephraim Grigsby required nurturing and defending, not just in his body but likewise in his mind.His advanced age had made him frail, and Hull’s quest required him to protect Ephraim from worry and concern as much or moreso than physical threats.Fae customs had proved alarming enough to the youthful Holly King upon his arrival in the realms and his ascension to his throne.And even with forewarning, Ephraim had fainted when Hullvardr revealed his true form.If Ephraim were plunged into the depths, the shock might well halt his heartbeat forevermore.
As such, Hullvardr had intended to introduce certain further truths regarding his fae nature in a slow and gentle fashion.
The accident, however, had forced his hand.
And it was with far more fear for his mortal beloved than for himself that Hullvardr had revealed the truth of his kind.
Considering the abrupt nature of the revelation and the distressing circumstances which had demanded it, Hullvardr thought Ephraim had taken it remarkably well.He was, very naturally of course, upset with Hullvardr for lying to him.Hullvardr was just glad that the lie had not driven Ephraim to break off their intimacy altogether.Ephraim was angry with him, certainly, but he had permitted Hullvardr to take his hand again.
With the matter out in the open at last, Hullvardr dared to raise that hand to his lips and press a kiss to those lacework knuckles.
A soft gasp escaped Ephraim.He always seemed astonished at the smallest gesture of affection.Hullvardr set aside the troubling notion ofwhyhis mortal beloved should find affection surprising and instead focused upon the bashful smile that graced his lips and the rosy hue that suffused his countenance.
It required very little coaxing for Ephraim to lay his palm against Hullvardr’s cheek, whereupon Hullvardr had but to turn his head to kiss the soft pad of flesh beneath his thumb.From thence his lips travelled quite naturally to the crystalline blue veins leaping in Ephraim’s wrist.
But when Hullvardr tried to draw him down beside him, Ephraim refused to budge.
At Hullvardr’s enquiring glance, Ephraim said, not unkindly, “Would it not be more prudent to summon your friend at once?”
Grytha would certainly have preferred it.Still, Hullvardr resisted.Yes, his leg hurt, and yes, it was frustrating in the extreme, and yes, the sooner it was mended the sooner they’d both be better off… but what he wanted more than that, in this moment, was for Ephraim to understand that he was precious, desirable, and loved.
So instead of something more practical, Hullvardr replied, “One more night won’t do me any harm.”
Ephraim did not appear altogether convinced of this.
Hullvardr kissed his knuckles again.His palm.His wrist.
This time, when he reached for Ephraim’s cheek and coaxed him down, Ephraim relented.
Injury and inclination alike forced Hullvardr to take slow and careful consideration with how he unfurled the petals of Ephraim’s garb to reveal the flowering beauty beneath.His familiar bulk soon joined him beneath the bed-clothes, and from there Hullvardr had but to descend and take his beloved mortal into his mouth and send him off to sleep in bliss.
Hullvardr remained awake a while longer, his arms curled ‘round his darling Ephraim, softly stroking the silver strands that clung to the back of his head as he ruminated on the question that had so very nearly divided them.He wondered how Ephraim would take all the other fae secrets the Holly King had forced him to keep.Ephraim did not even know that his former clerk now commanded a realm of his own.Hullvardr resolved to write with renewed vigour to seek permission to reveal all he knew of the Oak and Holly Kings.There remained, however, a far more pressing matter.
Which of his friends, and many they were, would prove most worthy of an introduction to his beloved Ephraim?
Ephraim had of course been dimly aware that Hull in his seven hundred years must have enjoyed the company of many lovers before him.He had never once begrudged him it.Indeed in certain flights of fancy the thought had greatly excited Ephraim, but of course he would never be so gauche as to bring the matter up directly.
Now however the matter had brought itself up in a manner far more direct than Ephraim would’ve ever dared.
He put it from his mind as he lay down with Hull, whose embrace sent him off to a sweet slumber.When he awakened, he found Hull already up, dressed, and at the desk, reading a letter whilst the wulpertinger patiently perched on the windowsill.
“Glad tidings!”Hull assured him before he could ask, holding the letter aloft.“My dear friend Drude has agreed to pay us a visit.”
The letter bore the same runes Ephraim had seen Hull write now and again, though in a different hand.Still, though he couldn’t understand it, it appeared friendly enough.More importantly it meant that Hull’s broken leg would soon be healed.
“When will he arrive?”Ephraim enquired.
“This evening.”
“Oh!”
Hull’s cheer turned to concern.“Is that too soon?”
