Certainly not with Sei’s new betrothed, who wants nothing to do with Sei.
Then there’s the swirl of political scandal. “Prince Marek said one of Naoko’s attendants died. What happened?”
Osric is quiet for a moment.House Dire says Mori’s death was an accident. But there are rumors he tried to attack Vana and died in the attempt.
Oh, this is so far above Sei’s head. “What do you think happened?”
I think Mori was annoying.Osric’s tail flicks.May his soul rest at peace and so on and whatever. Naoko made some dramatic demands for more information. It was understandable, but unwise. As soon as she agreed to change the betrothal to Marek, they hustled her away on dragonback.
“If her assistant attacked Prince Vana… do you think Naoko was involved?” Sei asks hesitantly. He really doesn’t know Naoko. Perhaps she’s capable of this.
No, I don’t think so.
Sei doesn’t feel relieved. He doesn’t feel much of anything besides exhaustion at this point. “Thank you, Osric. I think I’m going to sleep now.”
Take your boots off first.Osric nudges Sei’s knee, then crosses the room to inspect everything again.
Sei obediently unlaces his boots, his head spinning a little when he bends over. His feet are stiff, but standing on the plush rug in just his stockings is a tremendous relief.
From across the room, Osric calls out,Sei, I don’t think this is a guest room.
Sei doesn’t have a chance to react before the door opens. All he can do is turn, stomach sinking at Marek’s scowl.
“What are you doing here?” Marek asks, stopping short in the doorway. His dark blue hair is nearly black in the soft light, and he’s somehow even taller than Sei remembered.
“Oh,” Sei says faintly. “This is your room.”
He doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Finally, one thing has gone according to plan. The guildmasters prepared Sei for this, and he completely forgot in the chaos. Per Draskoran tradition, betrothed couples live together until the wedding. The claim moves into the claimant’s quarters. It’s a very practical tradition, ensuring the couple can tolerate living together before the wedding.
Sei was nervous enough about this part before his new claimant hated him. Marek was much nicer earlier today—before the treaty bound them together. Sei regrets taking his shoes off. He feels much shorter and much more vulnerable like this.
Osric sits by the fireplace, watching them both intently.
Closing the door behind himself, Marek looks Sei up and down, then exhales. “You’re scared of me. That’s not what I wanted.”
Fuck. Sei is already messing this up. He forces a friendly smile. “Please accept my apologies, Your Highness. I won’t be scared of you.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Marek only looks more disgusted. “Fuck. I’m not angry at you, all right? Just this situation.”
“I understand.”
Marek’s eyes flick from Sei to the bed, and the room seems much smaller. New unease creeps through Sei. Even though he’s angry, does Marek want to sleep with Sei tonight?
That would be fine. Of course. They’re betrothed, so of course they can sleep together. Except Sei is so tired tonight. He isn’t ready.
Marek scowls again. “Don’t look at me like that.”
Sei can’t obey the order, because he has no idea how he’s looking at Marek. He stays silent as Marek moves across the room. Osric tenses visibly, but Marek passes Sei at a good distance and grabs a bag from his wardrobe.
“Don’t worry,” Marek says over his shoulder. “You’ll have the room to yourself.”
Right. Marek wants nothing to do with Sei.
Not that Sei wanted to have sex with Marek tonight—so why does the rejection sting?
Sei drifts closer, following as Marek grabs other items from around the room. “Where are you going? I don’t want to put you out. I’m happy to sleep on the couch, so we don’t have to share the bed.”
Marek stops in the middle of the room, so abruptly Sei nearly runs into him. “Look in there.” Marek points to a cabinet. “Find the bottle that says ‘hallabark.’ Take two tablets if you don’t want to limp tomorrow.”
