His stay here at Gravegarde would definitely not be comfortable. And if Rowan had anything to say about it, it would be downright painful and embarrassing.
Notes:
Riley: Drachifel?
Rowan: Drachifel.
AJ: Now hang on, you two. You can’t kill Andrew.
Riley: *glares*
Rowan: *glares*
AJ: For god’s sake, don’t make the plot go even further off the rails! Ugh, characters.
11
Milo
Milo had damn near swooned earlier when Rowan had appeared like his avenger and punched Andrew dead in the face. He’d known Rowan hated what Andrew had done to him. The man had a very strong moral compass and didn’t believe for a second that cheating was ever the answer. He would have punched Andrew just on principle, but Rowan hadn’t moved for that reason—he’d avenged Milo.
When they’d joked on the way up here about feeding Andrew to the Drachifel, Milo had thought it a joke. Rowan’s actions had felt like a kiss to the bruise on Milo’s heart. A get-better sort of kiss. Hard to explain, but he felt a little better after seeing how enraged Rowan was on his behalf. Also, he was not-so-secretly falling even harder for the man. The way Rowan unapologetically put Milo as the priority was downright sexy.
More than that, though, was Rowan’s speech. His usually quiet lover had picked up on some of Milo’s insecurities. Said insecurities being so obvious wasn’t an entirely comfortable realization. Milo didn’t quite like that his nervous tics gave him away, but on the other hand, he felt so seen. Rowan saw him, flaws and all, and still chose him. Adamantly chose him, even, defending him not only from physical harm, but emotional.
Never in his life had a man stood beside him with such stalwart conviction.
Honestly, he fell a little more for Rowan because of it. Milo had always been scared to share everything about himself because even his surface-level features, like his high energy and chattiness, weren’t always welcome. Some part of him had kept his heart guarded—a defense mechanism developed over time. Apparently, he didn’t need to keep his guard up with Rowan. The man saw him and embraced him wholly.
Damn, what a heady feeling, to know he was wanted precisely as he was. It gave Milo a euphoria he hoped he never came down from. He’d do his best to return that devotion, too.
He managed to finish the task he’d set himself for the day, despite all the distractions, and was happy to go to dinner, even with Andrew being in the vicinity. That emotionally stunted slug was no longer any threat to him. If he approached Milo again, Milo would blast him silly without compunction.
Based on his empty spot at the table, it appeared Andrew had some modicum of self-preservation. Either that or he couldn’teat comfortably with his nose broken. Likely wouldn’t for another day while the healing potions did their job. At any rate, he didn’t show up in the dining hall for dinner.
Milo was just as glad. The man would have spoiled his appetite.
Bennet had also declined dining with the family tonight, but it seemed he was worn out from his travels, which was understandable.
Riley sat across from Milo, blue eyes speculative. Then she asked Rowan, “Need an alibi?”
“Don’t tempt me,” Rowan said with a groan.
Milo had no problem with Andrew dying a short, tragic death, but… “Unfortunately, Bennet knows how mad he is at Andrew. He’ll be the first suspect regardless.”
Ruben’s eyes danced with amusement. “That the only reason?”
“Otherwise I’d have dropped Andrew to the Drachifel myself,” Milo promised him dryly. “I do not have any lingering feelings for the man. Well, except regret. But his sins are his own to carry. I refuse to take part.”
Rowan nodded approvingly, eyes crinkling as he smiled. He’d liked Milo’s statement a lot.
Milo refused to keep thinking about the man. “Change of subject—Reagan, Roana, our jewelry making supplies are here. Can I teach you what you need to know after dinner so you can start making the necklaces? You can get a head start while I’m finishing the ward.”
“Sure!” Reagan looked delighted. “Uh, we can start without you, though?”
“Absolutely you can. The jewelry itself isn’t anything more than a way to anchor the spell. There is a specific design to it—mostly so the magic has direction—but you don’t need me for that part.”
Some would argue they were in spring season now, so this project might be a touch early to start on, but Milo didn’t think so. For one, winters came early up here. Rowan had told him they’d had snows as early as Ninth Month before. Generally it started in Tenth Month, though. Still, they had about five or six months to make two thousand necklaces. Having made stuff like this before, Milo knew for a fact that crafting of any sort tooktime. There was no way to speed up the process, either. Even with help, it would behoove them to get this done early. Or at least start early.
