Page 10 of The Mage's Rake
“I feel as though we have accomplished much today,” Hugh said. “All thanks to you, Alan. Now I really owe you.”
“It is only the start,” I promised. “I’m going to go work on the poisoned blade today.”
“Back to the alchemical laboratory!”
Hugh pushed himself away from the merion. His tail flicked back and forth happily in excitement. I stared at him in disbelief.
“There’s nothing exciting about to happen, Hugh,” I pointed out. “I will be puttering about—“
“Gareth told me to keep you close… and I will.”
“I’m sure I will be safe in my laboratory—“
“I can take notes.”
“Have you seen your handwriting?” I grumped.
“Have you seen yours?” quipped Hugh.
We stared at each other. Then, as the ridiculousness hit me, I found myself biting back a chuckle. Hugh laughed and slung his arm around my shoulder, drawing me close. I caught his scent then, as before. Leather and sunshine and apple blossoms. An earthy nature so foreign to me. I found my gaze drifting over the low swoop of his cheekbones, the hard line of his stubbly jaw, and the muscle that emphasized his strong throat. Then up, to those red lips that were now curving upward in a wide smile, flashing a line of his white teeth.
My mouth went dry, instantly as I realized that my gaze had lingered too long. A red wave flashed over me. Hugh’s gaze narrowed as he no doubt became aware of the direction of my thoughts. Instantly, I froze up and then, stumbling, jerked away and rushed down the stairs, nearly falling head over heels in my rush. Hugh, standing at the top, hesitated and then plunged after me.
Fantastic. Now he’s going to know. He’s going to guess. Pathetic little Alan of the White Tower is clinging to the tom he enjoyed a night of passion with. Ugh.The last thing I wanted Hugh to guess was where my traitorous heart lay. Everyone knew that Hugh prized his independence.And there’s Margriet as well. Whoever she is. I’m not about to—
Tears pricked at the edges of my eyes as I stomped to my alchemical laboratory. Unlocking the door and pushing my wayin, I drew in a deep breath. Just the familiar smells and sounds helped to steady me, soothing my nerves and helping me to gain control. Here, I would be safe.
Behind me, I could hear Hugh clattering in. I set my satchel down on a low table and began to unpack. There were the ingredients that I had bought for the potion I would brew to identify the poison’s specific mixture. I withdrew my notebook, copied the names that had stood out to me the most from the ledgers, and tossed the scrap onto the table as I rounded the corner to head for one of my shelving units. I hadn’t had to brew the Potion of Intelligent Analysis Solvent since my study sessions at the White Tower, but I had dutifully copied it down into my compendium. Brewing it again would be a simple task for a mage of my caliber.
“Those are some names that might be investigated,” I added.
“Alan—“
“The fact that we were visiting all of the magickal, medicinal, and herbal shops in the city probably won’t go unnoticed, so I’d set your hounds on them sooner than later.” I glanced at Hugh… and then stopped arrested by the tender look on his face. “What?”
Hugh stared at me, glanced down at the paper, and then looked up again.
“Look, Alan, about last night—“
“Like I said,” I said, keeping my voice neutral and business-like, “it’s behind us. I’m sure you’d have done it for any of your friends.”
Hugh stirred, opened his mouth, and then closed it and slowly nodded, allowing the moment to pass. He didn’t look happy. Part of me hoped that he wanted to push it—to force us to talk about it, but another part of me was relieved. I felt raw, exposed… I had been caught lusting for something I could never have, never truly own. I ought not to want to own Hugh. He washis own person. I only hoped that this investigation would be over sooner than later. For both our sakes.
Chapter 5
Hugh
It’s behind us.
Four days later, I was still thinking about the night I had spent with Alan. Ever since that party, I continued to try to remember the events that had led to our… coupling? Fucking? Certainly not lovemaking. I couldn’t call it that. Regardless, I tried desperately to remember—the rising heat, the molly in the doorway, the blurred sounds of a name, and then Alan. Alan in my arms. Alan’s lips beneath mine. Alan’s body spread beneath my own.
It was impossible to not obsess about it, especially since I had promised to stick close to his side. Gareth had left the castle for the Wintermas holidays.A month of fun, he had said in a deadpan voice that betrayed his thoughts on the matter. Gareth’s family had been separated during the war, but since peace had come to Sumarene, they had gathered again and now enjoyed spending Wintermas holidays together. Well, most holidays, to Gareth’s chagrin.
Gareth knows he’s lucky, I thought moodily.It’s partly why he hates talking about it. He’s got a few siblings, cousins, a grandmother, a few aunts and uncles left. More than any of us.
I didn’t begrudge him, though. I was glad that Gareth could find some joy during the cold winter months. I would make my own fun. Or I would have… if I didn’t have Alan and Landis to worry about. If I was honest about the situation, though, I had to admit that life was far from hard. Thanks to Corrin, the major burden of watching over our young king was allotted to the guard. The entire Munni guard assiduously protected Landis alongside their Sunna compatriots.
And Alan, far from pursuing the life of a social butterfly, also stuck close to the castle. A blessing in disguise, but some days, when I wanted to stretch my legs or enjoy a night out, it felt more like a curse. I didn’t like the silences. Even seeing how happy Landis and Corrin were together made me feel sadder than I would have liked. In the end, I dove into finishing any piece of paperwork that Gareth had left. A wonder, I know. And when that was done, my last option was to wander up and down the halls, prowling, in hopes of finding any kind of trouble.
