Page 33 of Fox of Fox Hall

When he could no longer see for the rain in hiseyes, he went back inside, where he promptly slipped and fellagainst a dripping, wet surface that turned out to be Byr Drashnal,who then bumped into Conall, who turned around, saw Fox, andblinked rapidly several times as if he couldn’t believe the drownedrat in front of him was Fox.

Fox had a feeling several of his roses hadtumbled from his braid and been trampled in the mud. Water wastrailing down his back, soaking into hisprobably-definitely-stained doublet. “I warned the workers in thesmall kitchens that more knights would be in the hall,” Fox toldhim, both of them, then sniffled as he tried in vain to dry hisface.

At least it wasn’t a cold rain, althougheveryone was about to be very uncomfortable in their wet clothing.Perhaps Fox should have warned the laundry workers too, but it wastoo late now. The byr in Saravar would have already sent theirservants out with their waterlogged finery.

Byr Drashnal was regarding Fox the same wayConall was, like someone trying desperately not to remark onsomeone else’s appearance.

Fox didn’t want to think about his slippers. Ifthey were as muddy as he suspected they were, he’d be down to onepair until he could get them cleaned, unless he started reusing anold pair. Not that it mattered if he had nowhere to dress andnowhere to go.

He took a deep breath and smiled for thereceiving rooms. “I don’t suppose you know of someone in Kaladaswilling to share a bedroom?” he tried, knowing he could try to keephis room to himself but also knowing any knight here outranked himand could simply take it. “Hopefully someone who isn’t involved inany questionable romantic or physical relationships at the moment.I will likely need somewhere to go.”

It was easier to say than he’d thought it wouldbe. Maybe he was too worried about shelter to care abouthumiliation yet.

“Generous of you to offer your room,” ByrDrashnal said. He reared back when Fox glared at him.

“I offer nothing,” Fox nearly snarled it, “Ijust know how things are.” There would be no appealing to Domvodaunless he prostrated himself and begged. He’d angered Domvoda withhis foolish vanity today so mercy was unlikely. Fox was going toend up sleeping on the ground and Domvoda would let him.

“Fox.” Large hands confidently took his and heldthem still, although Conall seemed worried when Fox glared up athim too. “That was kind of you to tell the kitchens.”

“They’ll need to know,” Fox huffed while waterdripped steadily over one eyebrow to gather in his eyelashes. “Byrdo not think of these things.”

“I suppose we don’t,” Byr Drashnal admitted.

Fox startled, turning toward him until Conallgently wiped the rainwater from his lashes for him.

“There’s mine,” Conall said, moving on to brushwisps of Fox’s hair from Fox’s forehead. “There’s room for you inmine, I mean. That is, if you would consent to share my room withme. If that would suit you.” As if only now realizing what hishands were doing and how uncertain he seemed, he stepped back andcleared his throat. He firmed his voice and spoke with his usualcalm assurance. “But I can’t see to it yet. We’re still helpingbring everything in.”

Fox swallowed, glancing again to Byr Drashnal,who had not received an offer to share Conall’s room unless Conallwas failing to mention it.

“Excuse me,” Byr Drashnal murmured, inclininghis head to both of them, irritatingly polite and likeable, andmoved away.

“As a place to sleep, or to store yourbelongings, if you like,” Conall informed Fox in a serious, lowvoice. “It’s not dependent on anything else we do, or don’t do. Iknow staying bothers you and I won’t push.”

It was Fox’s turn to blink at Conall as if hedidn’t believe what he was seeing. “You want me in your room withyou?” He sounded like a blushing innocent. “You’ll tolerate methere?”

Conall leaned down then abruptly stopped, asthough he’d been about to kiss Fox but had recalled himself.“Lovely,” he said it on an exhale, “get dry. Go to Saravar for ahot bath if it pleases you. Find something to eat. It will be likethis in here for a while, so there’s no hurry. Then, after dinner,pack up your things and I will move them.”

“You’re sure?” Fox asked although he had nodesire to sleep on the floor in the hall, or anywhere else.Possibly not even his own bed now that this was on offer.

Conall leaned in closer. “I said I’d take you ina garden with an audience. Why would my bedroom with the two of usalone be any different?”

“Those arenotsimilar situations,” Foxanswered snippily, then turned to go before immediately turningback. “Thank you.”

He thought he might get kissed after all. Forseveral quiet seconds, they stared at each other while Fox triednot to think about tremors in his chest and the flush almostcertainly turning him pink. Then Conall said urgently, “Go, so Ican do what I need to,” and Fox went.

Watching Conall carry Fox’s belongings to hisroom had Fox as hot as a receptive youth getting wet the first timea beefy farmer lifted him up to fuck him. An experience Fox shouldnot be thinking of, because he really ought to talk to Conall witha clear head.

He did his best to be sensible while flutteringanxiously behind Conall as Conall put down the final trunk. All thetrunks took up most of the floor, making the small room evensmaller. “I recognize this is not your first choice and I’ll trynot to be in your way.”

A statement that would have been more convincingif they hadn’t been boxed in by all of Fox’s belongings.

“You brought all of this for the tournament?”Conall straightened before facing him. “Is this everything youown?” He was breathing harder. Fox tried not to notice that or thethin shirt and wrap Conall had thrown on to replace his wet andmuddied clothes. He might as well have been naked for all theyrevealed.

He dragged his eyes away from the appealingsight, then flinched when he saw Conall was serious and not teasinghim about packing too much. “There’s nowhere to leave it,” headmitted finally, although then thought with some resentment thatanyone who bothered to look would have seen that Fox had no homeand surely that could have included Conall.

Only to remember a moment later that evenFoxhadn’t wanted to see that and had only dealt with ithere because he’d had to.

“I’d rather it all be with me, in any event.” Hetossed it out lightly, like a joke. “It means I can leave wheneverI want.” Not that a wandering musician would need all of thoseoutfits or books, or even be able to carry them. But at least hecould sell them if he had to.

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