Chapter 79

  Memory

  Sylvin knew that it was not by chance that he was summoned to the King’s rooms just as Macedius took his bath – Macedius delighted in provoking his Silver Dragon, and, although he had learned his lesson that force would not work, he persisted in trying to entice Sylvin into his bed.

  The King’s bathing chamber was an opulent room, lit by a giant chandelier that hung heavily from the ceiling over the sunken pool. Screens gave the impression of privacy, but in truth their carvings provided frame for the golden-haired King as his attendants untied the belt of his over-robe and slid it from his shoulders.

  Macedius’ was not as heavily muscled as Sylvin, the King wielding sword and wearing armour with less frequency than his knights, but he trained hard, and lived an active life, and his body was sculpted and beautiful as a result.