Page 57 of Close Quarter
Rhys rooted around a suitcase haphazardly tossed onto the bed. Unlike that ill-fitting suit from the first day, the tux fit him to a T. Dressing like this had been worth the extra time, perhaps even worth not fucking Rhys into oblivion.
Silas would not forget the feel of his dick sliding into that tight ass. But there should be other memories too. Especially for Rhys.
Even with all the element Rhys had given Silas and even with his phoenix-forged sword, the possibility that he would see tomorrow's dawn was no more than a slim piece of hope.
Five soulless remained. Well, four and Anaxandros. Silas blotted out the memories that came withthatname and drew a breath. "Would you like for others to see us?"
Rhys paused in his search. His expression changed from one of confusion to understanding.
"You mean together? No glamour?"
"Some glamour. My appearance, at least. But no hidingus."
"You don't mind being seen with another man?" Rhys pushed aside a pile of cloth in his suitcase. "I mean, at the bar the other night..."
Last night. It had only been last night. "If I minded, I wouldn't sleep with men." He closed the distance to the bed. "But humans can be very strange about their yearnings. And often react poorly to the desires of others." He peered into the ramshackle suitcase.
A glint of silver peaked out from underneath a brochure for the Hofburg Palace. Silas pushed the glossy flyer out of the way and uncovered a cuff link. The other he found nearby, jammed in the corner of the case.
"Good eyes." Rhys held out his hand.
The links were abstract shapes, almost sensual in their roundness, their dips and curves.
Silas rolled a finger over one. Then he handed them both to Rhys. "You made these."
Rhys returned to the mirror and slipped the links into the holes in his shirt. "How'd you know?"
"They feel like you do when you're manipulating element."
Rhys paused in his motions. "Sometimes I still don't believe you. This fae stuff." He studied his reflection. "And then I look in the mirror."
Indeed. Rhys's fae nature had settled down somewhat, but he did look different than he had twenty-four hours before. Sharper. Brighter.
"I suspect that's the new normal for you."
Only time would tell how humans reacted to Rhys.
Hopefully Rhys's human nature dimmed the sliver of fae enough. Or Rhys would find life much more interesting.
Rhys mock scowled at his reflection. "I suppose it could be worse." He turned from the mirror and inspected Silas. "What do you really look like?"
"This," Silas said. "To you, to me, to anyone with fae blood, I am how you see me, regardless of glamour."
"And to anyone without?"
How to explain? "Fae embody everything humans desire. Unglamoured, we're a bit overwhelming to their senses."
Rhys came close, brushed both lapels of Silas's tux. "You are the hottest man I've ever seen."
"But not so hot that you can't control yourself.
There's a reason Thomas the Rhymer followed the Queen for seven years. He would have followed a King, had one ridden forth that day."
"You mean everyone wants you?"
Ah, Rhys and his randy mind. "Not all attraction is sexual." He strode toward the door.
"Would you like to see?"
