Marek isn’t avoiding Sei. He’s just busy. Flying Loska, managing the garrison, taking border reports from the north and east. Checking the roosts. Working out. Reviewing the past five years of garrison supply records…
All right, Marek has been throwing himself into busy work. Because Marek isn’t even supposed to be in Ostomar. His only job here iscommanding—which is easier than he wants it to be right now. Draskora isn’t at war. Marek’s subordinates all know their jobs.
“I’ve been busy,” Marek says.
“Where have you been sleeping?” Sei asks, then bites his lip. “I apologize. That’s none of my business.”
Inexplicable guilt twists around Marek’s heart. Marek’s sleeping habits aren’t Sei’s business, but he can’t deny to himself that he’s been avoiding Sei.
In fact, avoiding Sei is the right thing to do. Why shouldn’t he? Sei is obviously scared of Marek. Neither of them wants this betrothal. Though maybe if this charade continues, Marek should set up another bedroom, instead of spending every night on the roof.
“I’m not avoiding you,” Marek says, preparing to be called out on the obvious lie.
“I’m relieved to hear that,” Sei says instead. “I’m sorry for overthinking things.”
Marek doesn’t understand Sei at all. At every turn, Sei defuses the argument, leaving Marek with nowhere to vent. And suddenly, that skill seems dangerous.
One morning out in the castle, and Sei befriended Radovan Ark and half a dozen servants. Plus a private meeting with Kazia Dire. Marek doesn’t understand Sei’s balance of nervousness and extroversion. Perfect manners, except when he interrupts and disobeys. Alone, vulnerable, except for the fellcat ready to murder anyone who raises their voice at Sei.
Marek doesn’t understand Sei, and that’s a problem. He knows better than to enter battle with an unknown enemy. Marek learns the landscape, the winds, the mountains. Under his leadership, the dragon corps has learned more about wraiths than in the past hundred years.
Sei Mallory is a mystery, and keeping a mystery in his bedroom is dangerous. Marek needs to keep his distance, to protect them both.
But too much distance leads to situations like today. Plus, Sei needs supervision. Everyone Marek trusts has enough on their plate.
So, Marek makes his next offer out of caution. Pragmatism. Not fascination. “If you want to get out of the garrison, you can accompany me this week. I’ll mostly be working with Loska, but we can visit the queen’s stone garden and those other places too.”
The offer should delight Sei. But there's just one flash of excitement before Sei replies, “Thank you, Your Highness. I'd enjoy that.”
Sei doesn’t even smile like he did in Radovan’s laboratory. Marek doesn't know why that bothers him so much.
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CHAPTER NINE
Sei
“Do I really need this, Your Highness?” Sei asks as Marek settles the helmet over his head. When Marek asked if Sei wanted to accompany him this week, all of the activities had sounded very grounded. “We aren’t flying, are we?”
Marek frowns, seemingly more focused on the helmet’s fit than Sei’s words. Satisfied at last, Marek buckles the strap under Sei’s chin.
Sei could do that himself. He just can’t muster the words to say so, not when Marek’s rough fingers so carefully brush the skin of his throat. Trunks and harness racks close in around them. The spacious tack room feels far too small.
It doesn’t help that Marek is sleeveless again. His loose black shirt leaves bare each muscular curve of his arms. The sight flusters Sei, which is ridiculous. They’re just arms.
Strong, gorgeous arms.
“Helmets aren’t for flying,” Marek says. Sei’s confusion must be clear, because Marek taps Sei’s helmet. “If you fall from journeying height, this won’t help. You’re done unless your dragon catches you. Helmets are for debris or projectiles. They’re also for falls during takeoff or landing. Or clambering around with a scale-brush on the ground.”
It’s the most Marek has said to Sei all day. Clearly, dragons are the way to get Marek talking.
“Why aren’t you wearing one then, Your Highness?” Sei asks.
Marek looks startled. “I’m not going to fall off.”
“Neither am I, Your Highness.”
Marek stares at Sei for a moment, as if he might argue. What does he see when he looks at Sei? A weak, useless toy? Sei may not be a big, muscular dragonrider, but he isn’t useless. He’s been trained since birth to be extremely useful.
