Page 96 of The King's Menagerie

In the end, and with a great deal of help from the servant, whose name proved to be Tariq, Nadir settled on a wide choker of gold and rubies, with arm bands and bracelets to match, and long earrings that caught the light and sent shards of light dancing around the room. It had been a hard choice betweenrubies and sapphires, but for now… for now he wanted the flashier rubies.

His eyes lingered on the rings meant for pierced nipples and belly button. He'd never considered such things before, but… maybe he would do that soon. Not right now though, when he was adjusting to his new position and… well, he was rather hoping that when the day came to an end, there was nothing to keep Shafiq from having whatever of Nadir he wanted.

"Thank you, Tariq. I don't suppose my king left me any orders?"

Tariq laughed as he closed up the jewelry cases and returned them to the floor. "Yes, Lord Nadir. He said if you woke around this time of day, you were to find him in the public rose garden hosting a small party for a visiting guest."

Oh, gods. He was being thrown right into it. "Thank you again. I really appreciate all your help."

"Always an honor to serve, my lord." Tariq bowed and departed, taking the jewelry and a bag of sewing with him.

Nadir took a few more deep breaths, then settled into the cool calm that had been trained rigorously into him. He was a royal concubine. Everything he did reflected on Shafiq.

Was he ready? Probably not. But he was certainly not going to hide away. Setting his shoulders, Nadir headed out, greeting the guards at the door. As he walked, one of the guards along the wall stepped forward and fell into place just a couple of paces behind him. He really should have anticipated Shafiq would assign a bodyguard. He couldn't deny that after the past few days the presence of a bodyguard made him feel a whole lot better.

Given it was late morning, leaning into early afternoon, the palace was bursting with activity. Which meant there were people aplenty to stop mid-step and stare, whisper poorly to their companions, sending the newly discovered news of a royalconcubine racing through the palace faster than even the finest horse in the world could go.

By the time he reached the public rose garden, he was heartily sick of the not-so-furtive attention. He'd have to get used to it, though.

He still hesitated at the threshold, taking in the crowd he was about to face, and the way Shafiq was of course clear across on the opposite end so that Nadir would have to walk the entire length of the garden.

"Pardon, Lord Nadir."

He turned and saw a servant bearing a tray of wine. "Yes?"

"I was about to take this to His Majesty…"

Nadir smiled. "I can do that, certainly."

The servant laughed. "Thank you.It would have taken me ages to thread through that crowd, especially with how drunk many of them already are." He winked, pressed a finger to his lips about his speaking so boldly out of turn, and then turned neatly on his heel and strode off.

Still smiling, feeling more accepted and at home than he ever had in his own family, Nadir stepped out into the rose garden. There was a lull around him that quickly spread as others took notice of the hush, and in its wake came a rush of whispers and exclamations. Nadir ignored them all, his attention solely for Shafiq, who was locked in conversation with a man whose skin was so pale he looked more ghost than living person.

As he registered the shift in the garden, though, Shafiq looked up—and broke into the most beautiful smile Nadir had ever seen. He didn't grin back, but only because he wanted to maintain a proper demeanor. He would definitely be showing how much he liked it later.

What a thrill he could enjoy such thoughts without the wave of sadness that had inevitably followed before.

Reaching Shafiq, who still sat at his table, his pale guest trying and failing not to gawk on the opposite side, Nadir smoothly knelt and placed the tray on the table. "I've brought your requested wine, my king."

"Thank you, Nadir," Shafiq said, brushing his fingers along Nadir's cheek, lingering slightly. "Pour, would you?"

"Of course." Nadir took his place to Shafiq's right and poured the delicate pink-orange wine into one of the dishes provided. Then he offered the dish to Shafiq and, after he'd taken a swallow, drank the second sip himself before pouring more.

Shafiq carried on with his conversation as though never interrupted, and after a moment of stumbling, the guest managed to get back into it as well. Around them, the party slowly returned to its normal chatter and activity, but Nadir could feel eyes on him the whole time.

Thankfully, the party concluded a couple of hours later, and Shafiq was able to leave with minimal delay from those seeking his attention. As they walked through the halls, Shafiq reached out and twined their hands together. "You always look beautiful, but I admit I am particularly fond of this look."

Nadir laughed. "That makes happy hearing, my king."

Shafiq's eyes burned, but he said nothing until they reached his chambers, where he ordered everyone, even his attendants, out. Then he pulled Nadir close and kissed him until his lips throbbed. "I like the way you say that."

"Say what?" Nadir asked. "I haven't said anything." What had he said last? "Oh, of course." He licked Shafiq's lips and added, "My king."

Shafiq groaned and resumed the kissing, pausing only to drag Nadir to the bed and push him down upon it. "I had intended to talk to you about your parents and—"

"I don't care right now," Nadir said. "These past weeks have been one misery on top of another. I would like something pleasant to happen."

Shafiq chuckled against his mouth, breath warm and smelling of sweet rose-flavored wine. "Pleasant? I like to think I can do better than that."

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