Page 30 of Devil May Hunt
“He did at first, but I haven’t heard from him in days.”
“And? You miss him?”
“No way.” He really didn’t. “But he seemed interested in more…”
“Don’t lie. We both know that’s a claiming bite on the back of your neck. Nice try covering it up, by the way.” Rin rolled his eyes when Brennon glanced around to make sure no one else had overheard. “Relax. The library is mostly empty today, that’s why we can get away with talking without being shushed by that annoying student librarian.”
Of course Rin had noticed that sort of thing. He was a master at catching the small details that Brennon never even considered looking out for.
“Can we be serious for a moment?” Rin sobered and propped his arms on the table, the movement bringing him closer to Brennon. Despite his assessment that they were out of earshot, he lowered his voice when he next spoke. “You never wanted to sleep with me, Bren. I know it, and now you know it. Hell, the only one who doesn’t is probably Kelevra, and that’s just because he prefers being jealous and having a reason to hate you over having to play nice.”
“Can’t blame him.”
“I don’t. And, if you want, I can ask him to check and see where the alpha is and what he’s doing now, if it’ll help alleviate some of this anxiety you’re feeling.”
Brennon cocked his head. “But?”
“I think you’re missing a perfect opportunity here. What’s so bad about dating an alpha?”
“We wouldn’t be dating?” he said. “He wants to skip straight to being bonded mates. I don’t even know what that means, at least, not for his kind.”
“Same as it does for all the rest, I’d imagine.” Rin lifted a single shoulder like it was no big deal. “Does it matter? Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted? Someone to choose you?”
“Ouch.” He’d forgotten the whole reason he’d crushed on Rin in the first place was because the guy was able to make him feel seen for the first time in his life.
Sometimes being seen sucked.
“You’ve got people who care about you, Bren. If you stopped wallowing, you’d see that.”
He gave a pointed look around the empty table, and Rin rolled his eyes. Brennon shut the book he’d been trying, and failing, to study with. “What about Daylen? Any progress?”
Daylen had gotten tangled up with a Royal and vanished, and Calder was out on a mission with his Brumal boyfriend, which was why it was just the two of them meeting at the library today. Brennon had almost canceled, but eventually, he was going to have to stop avoiding being alone with Rin.
It reallydidfeel different now. Rin was still as hot as ever, but Brennon acknowledged it in a more appreciative way than lustful. He didn’t feel any romantic connections to his best friend, not even when Rin spoke about Kelevra. In the past, being reminded that he’d been overlooked for the Imperial prince would often sting, but he didn’t experience that now.
Was it really this easy to get over someone?
Or was it because Rin was right about that as well, and Brennon had never actually wanted to be with him sexually?
Brennon hadn’t thought he was madly in love or anything, had more been mourning the closeness of their friendship than any missed opportunity. Sure, his ego had taken a hit, but that had more to do with the competitiveness he felt for Kelevra and the rest of the Retinue than Rin.
He might be a couple of years younger than the members of the Retinue, but Brennon had still grown up attending the same events. He’d been in prime position to become a member, a fact his parents had frequently reminded him of up until he’d turned sixteen and it’d been abundantly clear that was never going to happen.
The Retinue were tasked with following and protecting the Imperial Prince. That was far too much responsibility. He hadn’t been interested. For the most part, Brennon avoided other Royals. They chatted a bit during functions, and if he happened to pass one in the city, but that was about it.
He’d always wanted a relaxed life.
Which was why it was so ironic that he’d ended up in bed with a pushy Imperial alpha.
“The Brumal are working on it,” Rin replied, twirling the stylus he was holding with his fingers. “I just hope he and Calder are back in time for the end of the semester.”
“You think it’ll take that long?” He let out a low whistle. “Damn.”
“They aren’t the only ones causing me grief.” Rin gave him a knowing look. “But nice try.”
“Just let me change the subject like a good friend,” Brennon asked, but the other cadet merely pursed his lips.
“I’m being a good friend. Good friends are honest when they think the other person has royally fucked up. Or imperally, in this case.”
