Chapter 32
Nate
My balls will be aching later, but if this is the man Tristan told me about, we cannot let the guards just drive him away.
I tuck my hard cock in and pull at Tristan. “You need to tell them,” I say breathlessly.
“Fuck,” he groans, getting up, then gives my lips a lick. “Let’s go.”
He rearranges his clothes as I frantically tie up my pants. That’s the one problem with fantasy clothes—most of them are not easy to take off or put back on. Fortunately, the astronomer is not one for giving up, and the guard is entertaining the argument instead of poking the elf with his sword, so we have enough time to get ourselves in order.
For a second I panic that we won’t make it through the maze on time, but then Tristan picks me up without even asking and we’re up. Two surprised gasps tell me that we’ve been spotted, and moments later, we land next to the two elves.
The guard stalls, only to salute. “Ser Tristan. My apologies for the noise, but this man demands entry despite not having a valid invitation.”
The astronomer scoffs.
Whenever I imagine alchemists, astronomers, or other figures associated with science in fantastical worlds, I expect them to have long, silvery beards and fingers like the branches of an old tree in winter, but Merethis Nightscribe is clearly in his prime. His skin has a warm, deep brown tone that seems to hold the glow of the lantern hung above the gate, and his eyes are a navy blue around the reflection of the moon that appears to have replaced his pupils.
His long nails shine like starlight when he combs them through the thick hair falling onto his shoulders. When he finally looks up, his gaze is intent as it focuses on Tristan.
“My prince. It is you I seek,” he says with a gentle bow. He wears layered robes in shades of indigo, with stars of different shapes and sizes stamped over the fabric in an irregular pattern, and while he appears young, I’ve been in this realm long enough to know that lack of wrinkles means nothing.
“It’s good luck that we’ve overheard you then. He will come with us,” Tristan says to the guard, who gives the astronomer the stink eye even as he lets him through. “You said the matter was urgent? How so? My sister told me we needed to see you within three weeks? We were already planning our journey. This is Nate, my promised.”
The path leading along the maze and back to the ball is peaceful. I can only hope Nightscribe didn’t come to tell us the unicorn is lost, or killed, or gone for some other reason. I hate the needy part of me that feels a tingle of relief at the idea of never parting from Tristan, as if deep down I’m hoping to have the choice taken from me.
But the astronomer crosses his arms on his chest, flashing a collection of rings, some of which appear to be portable versions of astronomical tools. One is even a miniature astrolabe. “I’ve been researching the issue we wrote about extensively,” he says when we finally stop close to a heater filled with glowing coals. “But just this morning I discovered a fault in my previous calculations, due to the presence of a star that’s never been observed before.”
My temples pulse as I squeeze Tristan’s fingers, because so much depends on what this man tells us. There is just one thing in the universe capable of freeing me from the shadow bond and therefore allowing us to continue our relationship without the burden it represents, but there’s an element of dread to what’s to come too, and I choose not to focus on it.
“What does that mean?” I urge him. “Where is the unicorn?”
Nightscribe smirks, lifting his chin high. “Well, that is why I have come with such haste. I know exactly where the beast will betomorrow. During the full moon.” He continues on to mention some location called Melancholy Peak, to which Tristan nods, then asks a few follow-up questions, but I’m stuck in my own head as it pulses with painful heat.
Tomorrow.
The prospect of finding a unicorn is no longer a distant concept. We have an extremely specific location to be attomorrow. The creature might of course fail to be there, or not grant my wish, or be unable to, but we are now so close I can taste success at the tip of my tongue. So why is the flavor of this victory bitter?
I’m too shellshocked to join the brief chat Tristan has with the astronomer before telling him to enjoy tonight’s party. I only snap out of it once Nightscribe walks off, leaving us alone on the alley between the maze and the constellation of tents.
“Home?” I utter, pointing to the tower where our rooms are located. I’m too flustered to return to the party and act as if nothing happened, because I don’t even know where Melancholy Peak is, so there’s much we need to plan.
Tristan smirks and gives my ass a pat. “Yes. I can think of better places than a cold maze for what I want to do with you.”
Once more, he picks me up with ease, and I can’t help but be amazed by his strength every time. We have much more to deal with than sex, but I’d be lying to myself if I claimed that won’t happen as well. As we soar into the sky, I hold on to him tightly even though I know he’d never let me go.
We land on the mausoleum’s balcony, far away from the crowds below, and my heart races. I give him another kiss, but then we’re inside, and I slide out of his arms, grinning.
“How far is that place? When do we have to venture out?” I ask, squeezing his hands.
Tristan cocks his head, and my heart skips a beat, because with the moon so bright behind him, his outfit so elegant, he truly is my fairytale prince. “Why? There’s no need to anymore. Unless you’re that eager to see a unicorn, then I am your humble servant, and I will make it happen.” He laughs and makes a deep bow in front of me.
My chest compresses so rapidly it almost feels as if someone’s squeezing my heart. “What do you mean? I told you what I need. I’ve always been telling you…”
The smile drains from Tristan’s face as he straightens up, staring at me. “I… I’m not sure I understand. After today… I thought… Will you not be my Dark Companion?”
There’s a void under me, and I’m about to be sucked in, so I take a step back as nausea clutches at my throat. “No.”
