Page 31 of Sharpen Your Claws

“If a shadowed disciple is truly behind this, that explains why no one has caught them. They could have hid themselves from us, so we were thinking Charmaine could escort you to the other sites today to see if you can sense anything else,” William added.

Annoyance sizzled along the edge of his mind. He wanted to see William, to spend more time together, even if that meant wandering the city streets in search of a monster. Yesterday wasn’t enough. He desired more. With Charmaine there, William wouldn’t give him more than a look when all he wanted was to sink into those muscular arms.

“You will not join us?” he asked, trying not to sound bitter and failing abysmally.

“William is busy and we’ll return if we find anything,” Charmaine countered.

“Come with us,” he insisted.

William’s fingers toyed with a stack of papers. Then he shoved them under his arms and stood. “I can’t. A new doctor started today. He’s downstairs. The king is keeping his word, for now. We have to solve this while we have the advantage.”

“You’re right, so this is the best opportunity for you to search with us. There is a doctor to adhere to your patient’s needs. Surely he’s qualified,” he countered.

William huffed. “One would hope so, but this is the king’s pick and, for all I know, the doctor could be a complete scam. Regardless, I should be here on his first day to help him acclimate.”

“The nurses can do that in your stead.”

“These people need me, Nicholas.”

“Do they?” He thought their last few interactions meant something, that they were a step closer, but William kept him at arm’s length. “I am beginning to think you need them, either as a distraction or as an excuse.”

William’s muscles tensed like he prepared for an attack. “If you are going to argue, then leave. Charmaine will handle this.”

He caught William’s hand, the one he so hated. He didn’t understand why. Laurent’s gift helped William survive, kept him here for him to wholly adore.

“What if CharmaineandEvera help handle things, too?” he suggested, causing William’s stare to harden.

“She’s here?” His eyes flicked over Nicholas’ shoulder.

“Just outside, ordered to monitor me by my father. She’ll be bored, no doubt, and easily convinced to go on an adventure.”

Charmaine stood and shook her hands dramatically. “I’m not going anywhere with a fae I know nothing about.”

“She won’t cause you any harm. She knows the consequences if she does,” he reassured her. “This way, we’ll have two teams. William and I can go one way, Charmaine and Evera the other. Should this not be our top priority?”

Based on William’s scowl, he needed more, another nudge to agree.

“King Ellis isn’t a kind man, and especially not a good one. We do have the advantage, but for how long? None of this will last,” said Nicholas. “You trust your nurses. Trust them to handle things here with the new doctor. They can survive the day without you.”

“Will Evera truly be helpful?” asked Charmaine, her eyes downcast. “I’m not spending my day with someone who won’t take this seriously.”

“She has nothing better to do,” he replied.

“That doesn’t mean she will help,” she grumbled under her breath.

William deflated. “Will you give us a moment?”

Charmaine hesitated, her gaze switching between the men. A silent conversation passed between the friends. Nicholas’ envy grew. She could be close to William without worry or consequence. Then she stalked toward the threshold where the door shut upon her departure.

“I just want to see you,” Nicholas pleaded, staring into the eyes he so adored.

“I know. I’m not trying to imply that I don’t want you here. Do you understand that?” William had a curious look, more the doctor than the man.

“It feels you are implying you don’t want to spend as much time with me as I do with you,” he answered earnestly.

“I’m not. I am saying that neither of you needs me out there and that I would like to spend more time with you, but not right now.”

“You misunderstand.” A flush crept along William’s neck when Nicholas caught his waist. He couldn’t help himself. Seeing William again, finally being near, all he wanted was to run his fingers through William’s hair, kiss his neck, hold him close, listen to his heartbeat. Lock themselves up where no others will find them so he could have William every second of every day until the stars twinkled out, and the world went dark.

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