Page 36 of The Curse Between Us

Edric nodded, and with a small, respectful smile, he crossed to the wardrobe. Zephyr, ever the gentleman, politely turned aside, giving Edric privacy as he began to strip off his outer garments. The sound of fabric being pulled off, the softrustle of movement, was all Zephyr could hear as he focused on his own preparations. The minutes felt like hours. When he finally heard Edric’s quiet cough, signaling that he was decent, Zephyr turned back.

Edric stood before him, looking endearingly rumpled. His hair was mussed from pulling his nightshirt over his head, and the heavy white nightshirt itself hung loosely from his shoulders, the fabric flowing gracefully down his broad frame and leaving a tantalizing patch of skin exposed at his collarbone. Zephyr’s breath caught in his throat, and he suppressed a bolt of lust that threatened to overwhelm him. He forced a tight smile as he changed into his own sleepwear, giving Edric the courtesy of turning away.

When they were finally settled, Zephyr pulled back the thick, soft covers of the bed, motioning for Edric to climb in. They both moved carefully, as though any sudden movement might break the delicate balance of the moment. Once they were beneath the blankets, Zephyr rolled over to face Edric, marveling at how close they were. The proximity was almost unbearable—a comfort, a tease.

Everything Zephyr wanted was so close, just within reach, and yet it was still so far from his grasp.

“Goodnight, Edric,” Zephyr whispered, the words slipping out in a voice more vulnerable than he had intended. “In the morning, we will explore my land together.”

Edric’s lips curled into a soft, affectionate smile. “Goodnight, Zephyr.”

The words felt like a promise, a gentle acknowledgment of everything they had yet to navigate between them.

Whether it was the mere fact of being back in his own kingdom, or the simple comfort of Edric beside him, Zephyr could not say. But that night, with Edric near, he slept better than he had in years.

???

The following day, Zephyr made it clear that there would be no business, no meetings, no regency affairs. The people of Eskarven had done well enough without him for this long; one more day would not cause irreparable damage. "You have managed this long without me," he said to Pierce, the regent. "You can manage one day more."

Pierce let out a dramatic sigh, a playful gleam in his eyes. "Run along, then, Zephyr. I suppose I can bear the burden of rule a little longer." He waved Zephyr off with mock exasperation, his amusement clearly visible.

Zephyr, grinning, gave a deep, mocking bow. "With your leave?" he asked, enjoying the jest.

"Yes, yes. Go." Pierce was far too accustomed to Zephyr’s antics to be fazed.

After teasing his cousin one last time, Zephyr made his way back to his chambers to find Edric, who had managed to sleep even later than Zephyr himself. The sight of Edric still sleeping, his features softened by slumber, was a rare and precious gift. The quiet beauty of his face in repose stirred something deep within Zephyr—a profound sense of peace and gratitude. This was a moment they could steal for themselves, a rare day where he didn’t have to think about ruling, about responsibilities. Today was for them.

Edric, unaware of Zephyr’s silent observation, was already awake by the time Zephyr entered. He stood by the window, his back to Zephyr, gazing out at the glittering snow and the distant palace grounds. The morning sunlight illuminated the room, casting a golden hue over everything it touched.

“I have a surprise for you,” Zephyr said, his voice light and full of excitement as he moved toward Edric.

“A surprise?” Edric turned to face him, his eyes wide with curiosity.

“Yes.” Zephyr grinned and gestured for him to follow. “Do you have the boots that were left for you? Good. Come with me.”

Edric raised an eyebrow at him but said nothing as he followed Zephyr through the winding halls of the palace. "Are there not things we should be doing today? Meetings with your regent, discussions about your coronation?" he asked, his tone betraying his concern.

Zephyr shook his head firmly. "Not today. Today is for us." His voice carried a quiet authority, the sort that Edric had long learned to respect.

A flash of pleasure passed through Edric's eyes, though he quickly masked it with a neutral expression. Zephyr could see, however, how the prospect of spending the day together—just the two of them—filled him with warmth. It was a beautiful, sunny morning. The cold was sharp enough to steal breath, but there was little wind to bite at their skin, making it a perfect day for what Zephyr had planned.

When they reached the side door of the palace, Zephyr paused, glancing over at Edric with a grin that spoke volumes. There, propped against the wall, were several wooden sleds, sturdy and clearly designed for more than just children’s play.

“What—?” Edric began, a curious frown forming on his face as he looked down at the sleds.

Zephyr grinned up at him, his energy and excitement contagious. "We are going sledding," he declared with unrestrained joy.

Edric eyed the sleds skeptically, his hands tucked into the sleeves of his thick cloak. “I’ve never—”

“Don’t worry,” Zephyr interrupted, passing him the rope tied to the largest sled. He slung the other sled over his own shoulder and moved towards the gate. “I’ll teach you.”

With a slight sigh, Edric reluctantly followed, his boots crunching through the snow. “Is this not an activity for children?” he asked, clearly unsure.

Zephyr laughed softly and shrugged. “Not at all. As you can see, these sleds are clearly made for fully-grown adults, and so, this is an activity for everyone, regardless of age.” He glanced over his shoulder at Edric, noting the skepticism still in his gaze.

Edric squinted at the slope ahead, raising one gloved hand to shield his eyes from the bright morning sun. “And we just… climb up a hill, then slide down it, only to do the same thing again?”

Zephyr shook his head, still smiling. "It’s much more fun than you make it sound, but yes.” He winked at Edric. “Try it. If you don’t enjoy it, we’ll find another way to pass the day.”

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