Page 132 of Xerxes Ascendant
He would love one. But...
“Not when we have a meeting to attend,” Akira said, and then glowered at the rest of the staff hanging around. “Andyourclients will be arriving soon. Get to work.”
“My shoes!” Misha wailed. “I can’t find my shoes!”
“Then perhaps you’ll finally get through a whole shift without spraining your ankle.” Akira commented icily. “Kyle,meeting.”
“With…?” The blonde screwed up his face in thought.
Akira sighed. “With the Coterie. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten.”
The confusion turned to dismay. “No. Maybe? I seem to recall you saying something about it while you had your tongue in my ass.”
“I would never be so unprofessional.”
He absolutely had.
Kyle huffed out a long but amused breath. “Do we have to go?”
“I’m not answering that. We’ll need to hurry if we’re going to make it on time.”
“Yes, boss.” Kyle fell into step beside him. “Still don’t know why I was invited.”
“Because it’s an honour and the Coterie owes you a great debt,” Akira said, and when Kyle made to protest, raised a finger sharply to silence him. “And because you’re representing House Epsilon. Do not let me down.”
He received a sloppy salute and a solemn nod, but a mischievous glint had already entered Kyle’s eyes by the time they’d descended the House’s front steps.
The blonde gave the stone cat a quick pet on the way past, as he always did. “Well, if wehaveto go-”
“We do.” This wasn’t a negotiation.
“-how about we at least make it fun?” Kyle said casually, climbing into the autonomous car after him and manspreading across two seats. “What if…” He paused to think. “What if you’re not allowed to speak unless I ask you a direct question?”
Akira raised an incredulous eyebrow.
“Come on, sweetheart. It’ll be a challenge for the both of us,” Kyle coaxed, and his irresistible excitement was infecting Akira too. He was a terrible influence on him, persuading him into all this fun and indecorous nonsense.
How could Akiraeversay no to him?
“Excellent,” his boyfriend declared, after studying Akira’s face with that uncanny ability of his to read him perfectly. He linked their arms, threading his through Akira’s and contentedly settling in for the ride. “Then it’s settled.”
Attention Residents:
House Theta is currently closed as we undergo a necessary transition in leadership. This includes a complete renovation of the space, an overhaul of practices, and a renewed commitment to the welfare of both staff and valued clients.
Re-opening on 1 August 2073 under the direction of Master Epsilon, we aim to offer the same sublime experience and great prices, but with renewed purpose and closer alignment with the values of our beautiful city.
More details on the reopening timeline and what to expect moving forward will be shared soon. Thank you for your patience.
-Notification issued by the Coterie
CHAPTER 42
Kyle
Kyle watched the neon-lit streets roll by the windows of the autonomous car as it dutifully drove the pair of them to their meeting. “Do you think Miles will make a good mayor?”
Akira took a moment to respond. “I won’t deny that in the last three weeks, he’s done more for the people of Xerxes than his brother did across his decades of office. But I’ll ask you not to forget, Kyle, that this was the man who chased power and pleasure so blindly that he would have taken you against your will merely for the high it delivered. Would he not have continued with his vile, hedonistic ways if he hadn’t fallen out of Benedict’s graces?”
