The former, I hope

I debate whether to show up for dinner in the library. On the one hand, I haven't spoken with Kassian all day. There is much we should discuss, including his safety measures and what happened at the club. But then I know he will ask me why I've opted to avoid him all day. And gods forbid he overheard my conversation with Kastien and brought it up.

In the end, I decide I want to see him, and that is enough to put up with all the rest.

I expect to find him at the table, already starting on his supper. Instead, he's seated at an armchair before the fire, stroking Percy on the top of the head with one hand and sipping wine from a cup held in the other.

Upon hearing my entrance, he says, "I can't decide if those who wish me dead are unable to get through my new guards stationed around the clock, or if they're simply biding their time, waiting for me to grow comfortable before striking."

"The former, I hope," I say, taking the other armchair pointed toward the low fire.

"It's not so bad being followed around everywhere I go. Honestly, it's preferable to the isolation I've resigned myself to."

I say nothing. I think perhaps he might need me to listen.

"In other news, I've sentenced Lord Eliades to life in prison. He's been stripped of all his lands and his title. He won't trouble us anymore. We've also located most of the gold coins he took and redistributed. All the peasants caught with them have also been imprisoned. They knew very well they were being given stolen goods."

"You don't seem terribly happy about all of this."

He stares at the flames and downs the rest of his cup. "The roundup did not go well. Several peasants died in the process. They resisted the guards. And many of the merchants did not want to give up the coin they'd already received in exchange for their goods."

I settle deeper into my chair. "And you blame me."

His hand stills from where it is reaching for a decanter beside him to refill his glass. "Why would I blame you?"

"Because it was my idea to catch the bandit in this manner."

"That's not at all what I'm trying to say. My guards did a poor job of handling the matter. It is they who are to blame,not the plan. Besides, I couldn't care less about a little public unrest."

"Then what is the problem?" I ask.

"The council wishes to do something about the stir we've caused. They're considering a royal parade through the streets of Naxos."

I blink. "You can't do that. That's the perfect opportunity for our contact to assassinate you."

He starts on another glass of wine. "I know, but I'm afraid the council has voted against me. I have no choice."

My skin glows with the reflection of the flames, and I feel my body grow hot all over. And not in a good way. "One of them is in on it! They have to be. Why else would they make you do this?"

"It would generate some goodwill. Remind the people that I'm not a monster putting all his focus on foreign kingdoms. It humanizes me, apparently. Makes them more likely to pay their taxes or some nonsense."

He finishes refilling his drink yet again. "Oh, and the Kingdom of Jedai is officially at peace once more." I finally turn in his direction. "I'm having a hard time reading you. Are you upset? Worried? Pleased?" Terrified? I don't say aloud.

"I'm remarkably calm for someone who knows there will be another attempt on his life soon."

"An attempt, perhaps, but nothing more. Your would-be killer will not succeed. They will be caught."

He swallows the rest of his cup and finally sets the empty glass aside, letting his head fall back against the armchair as he does so. "Well, now that all the pleasant conversation is done with, shall we move on to whatever the reason is for you avoiding me all day?"

"That was the pleasant conversation?" I can't help but raise an eyebrow.

He stops petting Percy, and the dog slumps down to the floor, out as soon as his head falls atop his paws.

"What bothers you, Loralie?"

"I don't think you've had enough to drink for us to have this conversation."

"Meaning?"

"I'd rather you not remember it."

A small smile grazes his lips. "I could drink some more if you'd like."

"No, you should be alert at all times. In case anything happens."

He shakes his head once. "Quit stalling. The fact is that … you were—um—not treated well last night." As if the words bother him, he reaches for his glass once more and refills it.

"I wasn't?" I ask.

"You were treated and touched like a whore, and it must have been disgraceful and humiliating. I don't blame you in the least for hating me for it."

"Oh." I try to mask my surprise at his words.

"You are a true friend, Loralie. Someone I consider my equal in all things, save title. I did not treat you as such last night."

"Kassian, you let me help you last night. You treated me as you would a friend. Nothing less. Don't think any more on it." He stands suddenly, and his legs are a bit wobbly, as he steadies himself against the nearby table. "Perhaps I drank more than I thought."

"Let me help you up to bed."

I take Kassian's arm, and though I've never done so where anyone can see before (save when we were in disguise), I keep a firm grip on him as we exit the library. I order the guards to escort us up to the king's rooms, but no one else dares to lay a hand on the king. I couldn't ask them for help if I wanted to. They wouldn't risk their lives. I'll leave Kassian to do the pardoning for our touching later.

Percy trails behind us, ever the faithful pup.

We pass by a series of windows in the hallway, and the sound of thunder and pelting rain reaches us. Quite a storm is gracing us this evening.

The guards leave us be at the end of the hallway, and Percy and I continue on. I try Kassian's door first, but since it's locked, and I'm not about to go through his pockets for a key that he likely doesn't have on him when he can walk right through walls, I let him into my room instead.

I think to help him into my own bed, but he says, "No, through there."

I try the door connecting our two rooms. It's unlocked.

"Why wouldn't you lock this?" I ask.

"Why would I when it's you on the other side?"

I help angle his fall onto the bed, then lift up both of his feet. I even take off his boots one at a time.

"Kaissan, I'm not mad at you," I reassure him, continuing the conversation from before. "I don't care about yesterday. It was quite fun playacting, actually."

Percy hops onto the bed next to him, placing his head atop the king's stomach. Kassian lolls his neck over in my direction. "Even if you're not mad about that, you should be mad at me for other reasons."

"What reasons?"

His eyes close. "I saw you with Kastien. He offered you happiness, and you refused him. Because I'm forcing you to go through this ruse of courting me. I should release you from it."

I smile. "But you won't."

"I can't. I need you too much."

Perhaps it's just the drink, but I would very much like to think he didn't just mean as a ruse. His eyes shoot back open then, and his arm swings about before it catches my gloved hand and brings it toward his mouth but stops before he makes contact. He looks down at my glove as though it offends him. Then he's sliding the garment off. I hold perfectly still.

"He kissed you. Here." A leather-clad finger trails along my skin.

"Yes, he did."

"I don't want him doing that. I want to do that."

He lowers his lips, but I jerk back my hand violently before he can make contact. "You're not allowed to do that until you're sober," I tell him.

"Nonsense. Give that back!"

I laugh at him. "Go to sleep, Your Majesty." I push against his shoulder, and he falls back onto his pillows, his eyes shutting once more. The fight has left him.

I step toward my room, taking one last look at my king. "I didn't tell Kastien no because of some deal I have with you. I told him no because it would take me away from you."

Satisfied that he's too fast asleep to remember any of it, I shut the door on him and make ready for bed.