Page 31 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
Where is Mats?
Is he going to return in time for his wedding? Has something happened to him?
No, I still don’t believe anything bad has happened to him. I think he’s just … processing.
Process faster, Mats. Come back.
If he doesn’t come back …
How long can I stay here without finding him? Should I just go home?
If I do, will I ever see Justice again?
Especially without his shirt on?
Almost without my bidding, I reach inside my underwear and grab my stiffening length.
Fuck, that feels good.
I stroke myself, and now I’m picturing Justice’s smiling face. His laugh.
His ass.
Gods dammit.
I’mnotstraight. Because I know exactly what I’d like to do to that ass. The spicy books I’ve read have given me plenty of ideas.
Moments later, when I’m coming hard, I have no doubt about my feelings. But all kinds of doubt about how to deal with them.
It’s now been more than a week since I came to the Renversé Hotel, and I’m falling into this new rhythm of life. I start the day by shooing off gophers and tending to the plants, then return to my room to bathe. Fresh and clean, I get breakfast at the café. And, okay, I see Justice.
After breakfast, I do my best to talk with animals and people, especially ones I think might be from other realms. I’ve had enough with trying to be subtle—the need to find Mats is getting urgent.
When Justice is finished with work, we go hiking. That’s what we’ve done every day this week, and the schedule suits me just fine.
This morning, as I walk around the hotel grounds with Martin and Hazel at my side, I come across a tall man with dark, shoulder-length wavy hair, sable-colored eyes, and tawny skin. His jawline is sharp and covered with stubble. He looks … regal. And quite beautiful.
Am I noticing these details about him because of Justice? I really am not straight.
But if he’s a prince, maybe he’s heard something.
“Hello,” I say, stopping him. “Pardon me. I’m doing my best to find someone—my brother. I’m from the Northwest Forest. Are you from another realm?”
The man nods. “Yes, the Naga Kingdom.”
Would Mats go there? Who knows?
“Well, my brother is Mats Hammarskjöld.” I’ve given up being subtle. “He’s a prince of the Northwest Forest. He looks like me, only younger and a little smaller. He’s been missing for more than a week, and we don’t know where he’s gone. We’re suspicious he’s in another realm, since none of our subjects have seen him.”
The man shakes his head. “Sorry, I haven’t seen him. Do you know why he’s run away?”
“He is due to be married to a princess of the Fire Realm.”
“And he doesn’t want to do that?” The man looks sympathetic.
I shrug. “Perhaps? I don’t know. I just hope he hasn’t gone anywhere with the fae.”
The man nods gravely. “For both your sake and his, I agree.”
