Page 53 of Immortal Sentry

Eron glowered. “You need to stop calling me that lest you slip in public.” Not to mention, it added to the divide between their two lives and still seemed so foreign. He’d been Lord Edry most of his life, as well as Lordling Night, but could just as easily be found in the cornfields helping a farmer as he could in Kene’s study, learning to run the estate.

“We won’t be in public together, Your Highness. Not in the foreseeable future, at any rate.”

No? What a pity. “It’s good to see you. What were you singing?”

A flush rose to Kerric’s cheeks. “An old lullaby my mother used to sing.”

“What language was that?” Eron had at least a passing knowledge of all of Ala’s major dialects, but the song lyrics eluded him.

“An old language only used in the temples of Zetuna now.” Kerric’s eyes went wide as Eron sat up, causing the bed covers to pool around his middle. Eron had to smile for having such an effect on the man. Maybe Kerric could be coaxed into bed after all.

Eron surreptitiously shifted to reveal more of his body while keeping his groin hidden.

Kerric’s mouth opened and closed a few times until he averted his gaze. “My grandmother was studying to become a priestess when she met my grandfather.” He dropped the chatter for a more serious tone. “Miisov had a bath brought into the otherroom and also ordered bread, wine, and cheese. I prepared a plate for you. These formal affairs can be tedious, I’m told. You might starve before they finally sit down to eat.”

“How thoughtful.” This wasn’t right. Eron and Kerric were lovers, not noble and servant. There should be more familiarity unless it was the contrast of thief and guard that interfered.

“Kerric?”

“Yes?” Kerric paused in the doorway, hands clasped before him.

“How long do we have before I must leave?”

Puzzlement furrowed Kerric’s brow. “Enough that we don’t have to hurry.”

Eron grinned. “Then come here.”

Kerric stood still for so long that Eron thought he’d refuse before he said. “I have a better idea. Get dressed and come with me.”

Chapter Twenty

The moment they slipped into the hidden passageway, Eron claimed Kerric’s mouth in a searing, toe-curling kiss, pouring in every bit of the lust he’d barely contained since waking up. He ran his hands over the firm muscles of Kerric’s back.

Kerric held still. Had Eron made a mistake? Before he could pull away, Kerric wove his fingers into Eron’s hair, holding tight while plundering Eron’s mouth. They parted, resting the foreheads together, panted breaths mingling. The erection Eron discouraged a few moments ago returned with a vengeance.

“I know somewhere we can be alone, at least for a little while,” Kerric said, voice low and promising wicked things.

Oh, the places Eron’s mind went. He clung to Kerric as his knees went weak. Oh, yes, he wanted Kerric. Needed to use the vial he carried in his pocket at the first opportunity. He wouldn’t question how it came to be in his rooms.

Kerric took Eron’s hand. “Come.”

Eron nearly did.

He followed Kerric up the stairs and then down an unused-looking hallway. By the glow of his mage light, he saw rough stone walls and floors, far cruder than the part of the castle he stayed in, and a dusty floor. “Where are we?”

“In the original keep. No one comes to this floor but for storage.” Kerric’s footfalls remained sure. He stopped at the last door in a row, fitted a key into the lock, and turned. The door opened with a small squeal of a hinge in need of attention.

Eron entered and stood in the center of the modest-sized room while Kerric shut the door and lit a fire in the hearth that must have been bespelled to have caught so quickly. Soon, the crackling flames gave enough light to see by.

“What is this place?” Eron asked. Kerric’s wistful smile made Eron wonder if he should have remained quiet.

Kerric stood from the hearth and extended his hands toward the walls. “Welcome to my home.”

“This is yours?”

“I shared these rooms with my mother when we first came to the castle. Miisov ensures it’s tended to, though I must berate him about that hinge.” Kerric shook his head, tutting.

“Why?”

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