“I saw that play out all day. I’ll hope along with you, then, that he does end up staying. And that you work out in the long run.”
This was why Rowan loved his brother despite all the teasing. Ruben did want the best for him.
They fell silent once more, and this time, with the comfort of the campfire and the sounds of the forest at night washing over him, Rowan fell easily into sleep.
The last leg of the trip was not necessarily the easiest, but definitely the shortest. The thick evergreens surrounding them on all sides blocked any view of the fortress, although Rowan knew it was close at this point. For one thing, he could smell the sea. The hint of brine in the air was a dead giveaway. The journey felt like it took a decade, but they reached home just past noon. Rowan took in the blocky walls, the towers rising all around them, barely visible through the tree canopy overhead, and sighed happily. Finally. Home.
Although that meant introducing Milo to everyone, which meant Rowan would face even more teasing, but it’d be fine. Milo had handled Ruben without even breaking stride. He’d handle the rest of the family just fine. Chatterbox that he was, he made friends easily, unlike Rowan.
They approached the outer gates, the duchy’s banners lazily flapping in the wind. The horn sounded, signaling their return, but he ignored it. Rowan waved a hand in acknowledgment to the guards on duty, Flynn and Lyle, who straightened at their captain’s return, but Rowan was more focused on Milo as they passed through the fortress’s ward. He saw the way Milo’s jaw dropped with clear dismay. He hadn’t undersold the state of the ward, but Milo still seemed surprised by how thin and feeble it looked. Also, after a moment, furious. Rowan shared the fury, no question, not liking how poor work ethics had resulted in a direct threat to his family and people.
Well, after they got settled in today, he had no doubt Milo would immediately get to work tomorrow.
A few bustling servants curtsied as they approached the inner courtyard, but Rowan left their greeting to Ruben. It was only then he realized he hadn’t thought ahead. He waved a hand to get Milo’s attention. “Milo, we do have a room set up for you.”
“Oh… Um, okay.” Milo looked uncertain at this news, biting down on his bottom lip.
And that was all it took for Rowan to immediately know he’d messed up. Over the past few days, whenever Milo had been sad or uncertain, he’d chewed on his lips, and he was doing it again now. Rowan wasn’t sure how, but it seemed he’d hit an insecurity. Was it because he’d mentioned a separate room? He certainly didn’t want to give Milo the impression they were done because he’d had his fun and wasn’t interested in taking their relationship beyond their travels. Rather the reverse, but clearly Rowan needed to say so directly.
Knowing how much he loved sleeping next to Rowan, and how much Rowan enjoyed it, for that matter, he didn’t want to give his lover the impression he wanted him to use that room. “Why don’t you put work-related things there? Work from that room but stay in mine.”
Look at his happy expression. Rowan might as well have handed Milo a gift from the gods themselves. Milo dramatically clutched his chest with one hand. “Aww, boo-bear! You do love me!”
Rowan snorted. He was glad he’d said something. Starting off on the wrong foot with Milo was very much a No Thank You.
He had no time to say anything else. They’d reached the courtyard and Raina stood there waiting on him. His eldest sister looked like him, superficially. Not quite as tall, but still well above average height, with ginger hair in a loose cascade to her slim waist, freckles heavy on her cheeks. Raina had just turned forty and still looked a decade younger, in his opinion. Unlike him, though, she didn’t give off murderous vibes. When she smiled, people smiled back instead of looking for cover.
“You made good time!” she called to him, hands on hips. “And I see our new mage is in tow.”
Absolutely not giving Ruben any time to speak up and twist things, which he would, Rowan said, “This is Milo Tobitt, a Second Circle Mage and my lover.”
Raina stared at him like she wasn’t sure if he was trying to joke and it just didn’t land right. Then turned to stare at Milo with even more interest.
Milo, of course, didn’t even bat an eye. He waved, expression cheerful. “Hi! Nice to meet you. Phew, glad to get here, too. That was a haul and a half.”
“It was,” Rowan acknowledged with a slight smile. “Milo, this is my eldest sister, Raina. You’ll soon meet Troy, her husband. She has twin girls, too. Raina and Troy run the fortress most ofthe time, as our parents do a lot of trading and aren’t normally home. I’ll also introduce you to Riley, my other sister, when I can find her.”
“Riley’s out right now, due back in later today,” Raina informed him. A slow smile unfurled, and it spoke of pure mischief. “She’s going to hit the roof when she meets Milo. Anyway, Milo, welcome. We’re very glad to have you. For multiple reasons. We have a room set up for you, but it seems that’s no longer necessary.”
“I’ll use it as a work room,” Milo answered, bright smile not wavering. “But I’ll share a room with Rowan.”
“Oh, really now?” Raina looked at Rowan, but he shrugged. That was the plan.
“Well, why don’t you come inside? The servants will get your luggage in.”
“Sure!”
Rowan had a feeling she wanted to eat lunch with them and suss Milo out better, which was fine. She’d soon see what he saw.
Rowan’s main concern was making sure Milo never wanted to leave this place.
7
Milo
Raina was so nice. She spoke with the genuine kindness Rowan did and had the same sarcastic humor as Ruben. She’d immediately set to teasing Rowan, which was both lighthearted and entertaining as hell. Milo liked her within the first five minutes. He especially liked it when she included him in the teasing—a temporary alliance against Rowan—which made his lover give this deep exasperated sigh, as if he was absolutelydone with both of them. His resigned expression had sent them both cackling.
They had fresh seafood with a hearty vegetable medley for lunch, which Milo had several servings of and raved about. He was used to fresh seafood, as Goldguard was right on the western coast, but they had a different variety up here and it was lovely. Raina looked happy about his enthusiasm, Rowan made sure he ate enough between all of the talking, and Ruben enjoyed the show but didn’t stay long before excusing himself.
