Page 99 of Shadows and Roses

That memory was a bit fragmented. He hadn’t been able to meet her eyes, couldn’t bear to find pity, disgust, or even disinterest there. He swallowed. "Once," he whispered. "I couldn't…"

Damon snarled and leaned forward. "She shouldn't have come, then. I'd never want to see a claw again, if I were you."

Her claws had sparked a sort of dull fear, but it had faded before she left. "It was Octavius' suggestion, and I agreed. She didn't stay long." It had been too soon, truly, but he'd needed to see her. She had stirred and soothed him at the same time. The hint of roses woke a part of him he didn’t think would ever wake again.

Desire.

He spoke again before Damon could respond, smiling and asking lightly, "How's the rebellion? Ready to overthrow the monarchy yet?"

Damon’s eyes narrowed, but he shrugged. "You were right. Your Queen isn't so bad to work with. Easy on the eyes,anyways, isn’t she?"

She wasbeautiful.

But that look in Damon's eyes was familiar—when he found another girl's heart to break. Castien remembered the longing looks of the girls Damon had left behind. If he broke Anais' heart…

He crushed that pang of jealousy. His friend had good reason to stay with this one, if she returned the interest. And if she wanted Damon instead, he wouldn't stand in their way. He laughed softly.

Damon raised an eyebrow. "What? Don't think she likes me?"

Castien shook his head. "I was imagining you and her. Vehement anti-royalist in bed with a Queen." Shards of glass ran through his veins.He was no fitter companion, never had been.

Damon grinned. "Wouldn't that be a sight? Me, a—what do you call it—Consort?" He chuckled.

Castien smiled, forced a light tone past the pressure cracking his chest. "You could use some of that charm on the nobles. If anyone could convince them that the people's well-being was in their best interest, it'd be you." Damon's influence would be greater and more useful as Consort. They'd listen. They probably already did. Wasn't that the purpose of a Consort anyways? Political alliance, for the nation. His hand beneath the table clenched.

Damon’s burst of laughter startled him. "Ah, you overestimate me, my friend. Those bitches would never help anyone but themselves. No, Anais is right in this—they need to be killed or forced to bend when the time comes."

Then Damon waved his hand. "Enough dreary matters. What're your plans when they let you out of here? Going to find a little corner of the world for your gardening? I always thought that difficult to believe, lordling."

Castien rubbed the back of his neck. "Yes, I’ve discovered it's not so easy living in the wild. Octavius has taken care of me like a child. But I have my funds. Perhaps I could be lordling in a manor somewhere. Would you hate me for it?"

Damon still smiled but his tone was almost vicious. "Just tell me where, and none of my people will ever bother you."

Castien blinked. "Thank you."

"What are friends for, if not abandoning each other in some forgotten corner of the world?!" Damon threw up his hands. "Besides, maybe I'll join you if all this ends in disaster. Palace life is spoiling me."

Memories of a lifetime ago cropped up. Grass as tall as their heads, the high-pitched laughter of carefree children. Their cottage could be a manor. He could host his friends whenever he wished, not only when he managed to slip his Night Court guards.

"I'd like that," he said barely above a whisper, swallowing the burning in his throat. His trembling hands fisted.

Damon saw the motion. His face darkened. "I'll kill the bitch, Castien. Your soul is worth more than every damned Queen in this world. Just say the word, and I'll ride into Nadraken right now."

Castien flicked him a mildly condescending look. "Don't be a fool. I'm not one of your pretty girls—you won't win my heart with heroic gestures."

"Ah! So the prince of the night has a heart? What if Iaminterested?" Damon leaned forward with a grin.

He said it so lightly, so Damon, but Castien still braced for the fear.

Nothing.

He could kiss his friend for that realization alone.

Instead, he lifted his chin and raised an elegant brow. "You may have a title now, but you stillcan't afford my fee."

Damon sat back. "Bah. No, no heart, never mind."

They bantered for another hour until Octavius decided to check on them. He scowled at Damon but the grimace faded when he found Castien’s open smile. Still, Damon was encouraged back on the road after a quick lunch.

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