Page 2 of Vex
The one on the suicide mission or the one who wouldn't know responsibility if he was chained to it?
"Lord Rook, sir." Orinn's voice remained steady, but his gaze flicked toward the scattered belongings on the floor. "He is on his way home." The butler's expression flickered, just for an instant, like a man who'd tasted something sour and was trying not to show it.
"What is it?"
Orinn straightened his shoulders, as if bracing for impact. "He's bringing his mate. And he invites you to dinner."
The words hung in the air between them. Vex felt his jaw clench, the familiar heat building in his chest. Smoke curled from his nostrils without his permission.
"His mate," Vex repeated slowly.
"Yes, my lord."
"The brother who was supposed to be on a simple retrieval mission to Earth has found his mate."
"It would appear so, my lord."
Vex was going to kill Rook.
He looked at the mess of his rooms. It looked like a whirlwind had torn through the space, leaving chaos in its wake. Then he looked back at his butler, who was watching him with the resigned patience of someone who had witnessed many family crises over the years.
"Very well." Vex's voice was clipped, controlled. "Send him my regards."
Orinn inclined his head. "Shall I convey any particular sentiment, my lord?"
The question was asked so blandly that Vex almost smiled despite his frustration. Almost.
"Tell him I look forward to meeting his mate," Vex said. "And that I'm pleased he's returned safely."
It was better to let the butler do it. If Vex sent his own message full of his actual feelings and the curses to back them up, Rook might never come back to Vemion.
Orinn moved toward the door, then paused. "Shall I have the household prepare for your departure, my lord?" Departure was what usually followed a message from the king.
Vex carefully folded the parchment in hand. "Yes."
"Very good, sir." Orinn hesitated for just a moment. "If I may, my lord, Lord Rook has always been remarkably adept at landing on his feet."
The comment was offered quietly, but Vex caught the gentle reassurance in it. His butler had watched all three brothers grow up. He knew them better than most.
"Thank you, Orinn."
The butler bowed and withdrew, leaving Vex alone with the royal summons and his scattered belongings.
At least he was no longer torn between his duty to save his brother and his duty to the king.
An hour later, he was walking up the high street, trying not to wonder what the king wanted him to do. King Venin was family, but he was still a king. And he had no qualms using Vex's skills, no matter what kind of danger that put Vex in.
Vex had the scars to prove it.
He really hoped there weren't any slime monsters this time. He'd lost his favorite suit on that mission.
Royal Matchmaker.
The sign on the door stopped him in his tracks.
Was his uncle setting him up? Vex supposed it might be time to find a bride of his own, but surely this was not the way to go about it.
It didn't stop him from going in. If the king wanted him there at his earliest convenience, then there he would be.
