Loran sat up, shrugging. He rolled his neck, a soft, sated smile on his face. “We should get back before we’re missed.”
Killian only nodded. He watched as Loran stood and began collecting his clothes.
A pit of guilt sat solid in Killian’s stomach. What he’d just done wasn’t fair to Loran, or to Kade, but he couldn’t honestly say it would be the last time he did it, and that killed him.
Fyar tracked Killian with his eyes as he slunk through theshadows back to his post, a slight smirk on his face the entire time.
“Don’t,” grumbled Killian.
“Your hair is wet. Is it raining?” Fyar asked. He sniffed the air. “No, it can’t be. No rain I’ve ever encountered smells like rose scented soap.”
Killian blinked down at the king, who blinked up at him in return.
“Shut up,” said Killian. “I spilled something on myself.”
“Oh,” Fyar laughed, winking. “I’m sure you did.”
Killian choked.
Flushing, Killian turned away and pretended to scan the room. It was early, the night still young, and the party was in full swing. Elves swayed on the dance floor and lounged on settees, all while gorging on truly horrific amounts of alcohol. Many wouldn’t leave this hall for another three days, until they were forced to.
The dark navy uniforms of the healer’s apprentices were easy to spot amongst the light and bright colors of the aristocracy. Killian counted six—excluding Porthos—but that was wrong.
One was missing. The most important one.
Killian went over every face in the hall twice and Kade was still nowhere to be found.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
IT WASN’T EVEN midnight before Fyar excused himself from the party to rest a few hours before returning in the morning. Killian, naturally, went with him. He escorted the king to his quarters, and then was dismissed for the night.
Dragging his feet through the palace, Killian checked in on the night guard before making his way back to his room.
Closing the door behind him, Killian took his time toeing off his boots and stripping off his uniform jacket. Rolling his shoulders and stretching his back to ease the tension from the hours of standing he’d endured. The room was dark, only a few oil lamps were lit, leaving the edges of the room still cast in shadows. Just as he’d left it.
It took him an embarrassing amount of time to realize he wasn’t alone.
Killian jolted. “What the fuck, Kade? What are you doing just sitting in the dark?”
“Waiting.” Kade was on the sofa, arms crossed, glowering into the empty fireplace.
It was terrifying.
Killian had no idea what was happening, but something was clearly wrong. “Are you alright? I didn’t see you leave.”
“Really? I left same time you did, actually.”
“Just now?”
“No. No. I left the same time you did thefirsttime.”
The silence in the room was deafening.
Killian didn’t blink. He didn’t move an inch. “The first time?”
Kade pushed to his feet and slowly turned to face Killian. His anger clear on his face. “Yes. The first time.”
“I don’t know what you’re—”
