Page 131 of A Suitable Stray

That was Tiiran’s rule when around the assistants. Just as Nikoly could be touched in public, but was never to be embarrassed. But of course, neither of them was thinking about that now. They were thinking of Tiiran in the king’s council chamber.

“He still has enemies,” Orin spoke quietly. “And beat-of-fours won’t want to hear what you’ll have to say.”

“Fae-touched,” Nikoly said again, leaning his head against Tiiran’s chest. “I knew you were, Tiiran. It must be for this. Cael is going to…. Oh, she must already know. Arden would have…. She didn’t tell me.”Hewas the one gently fretting. Cael was going to give Tiiran a stern look. She always did. Tiiran suspected it was to remind him not to hurt Nikoly’s heart or endanger him.

Tiiran had no control over that. Nikoly did as he pleased.

With Arden and Mil gone, Tiiran slipped a hand into Nikoly’s shirt to press against the rose and ivy markings. Ivy around his collarbone to show he wanted to be useful. Roses at the base of his throat because he was Tiiran’s. Tiiran stroked them in the hopes it would calm him.

Orin was frightened for him but he hadn’t suggested Tiiran refuse. Tiiran wouldn’t have said Orin approved, but he was there and his presence was warm, so it might just be his terror temporarily outweighing his reason.

“Oh.” Tiiran couldn’t look up to see Orin’s face.

“Oh,” Orin agreed, a touch sharp but also still warm. “Though you continue to deny it,youare the danger, kitten.”

“I am, aren’t I?” Tiiran asked weakly. Master Keeper and head of the Great Library, who shared a bed and a home with Elorin Vahti, outguard and solver of the king’s problems, and Nikoly of the Rossick, who had the ear of the palace Head of House. Master Keeper whoalsohad the ear of the king, and at least one of the king’s husbands. Possibly both of them, if Mil truly thought Tiiran was adorable, the tosspot. “Oh, Orin.” Tiiran spun around to meet Orin’s stare. “Orin, I’m powerful.”

He swallowed dryly, then quickly shook his head. “Don’t ever let me act like a noble,” he instructed Orin, then turned back to Nikoly. “Or like a useless fucking fae. Orin,” Tiiran whined again, “I don’t know how to do that.”

“Don’t you?” Orin was mean, but softened it by nuzzling the pretty braids Nikoly put into Tiiran’s hair every morning. “You have a place,” Orin reminded him with a sigh. “You have people.”

“You’ve always been powerful, honeybee.” Nikoly, unlike Orin, seemed fine with his fears, or maybe that was because Tiiran’s hands were on him. “Now it’s just that others will see.”

“Not helping, pup,” Orin chided, but ran his hand over the closely-shaved lines of Nikoly’s hair, possibly to make Nikoly’s eyes flutter closed.

Tiiran stared at the pretty sight before movement made him glance over to the copying tables. Elbi was hunched over her work and squinting.

“Elbi, you need more light.” Tiiran raised his voice to remind her, then quietly returned to other issues. “Copying is likely not her purpose here. She’ll need other duties.” Maybe she would do for Mattin’s assistant. Tiiran would have to look into it. Her tasks could not only be library related. Mattin’s other responsibilities would bleed into them, that was the way of things. So it would need to be an assistant perhaps not entirely set on a career within the library.

That complicated matters. But matters did always get complicated, didn’t they? Tiiran had Nikoly to help him with nearly everything, and he would need even more help if he sat on the council.

They’d need someone new and well-trained to work the desk. Maybe two people, because few were as competent as Nikoly.

But then what of Orin? Nikoly took care of him too. Orin might need an assistant and—

“You are not getting an assistant of your own, Orin. You will need one, I admit, but they will fall in love with you, and I will not have it! Nikoly can’t take care of another as well as us, and you are already overworked without some new duckling fawning all over you. Would an outguard who is a bit odd do for an assistant for you? Not as Nikoly is—no one ever could be. But to assist you with work matters? You must have a staff, Orin. Oh, look what that miserable beat-of-four has done.”

“There it is.” Nikoly sighed with pleasure.

“Already.” Orin made a little noise of agreement or maybe dismay. “They won’t know what hit them and I will gain more grays.”

“I am fond of your grays, Orin.” Tiiran wriggled against him before recalling himself and their audience. “More responsibilities means more help, means more paperwork and budgeting. Fucksticks.” Tiiran paused to give Orin a glare. “And eager ducklings who will also like your grays.”

Orin bent down, bringing their faces close. “I have a full heart and a full bed. No need for more ducklings, jealous cat.”

“This isn’t jealousy,” Tiiran huffed. “This is facts. You need a staff. They will fall in love with you.”

Orin flicked a look to Nikoly, who looked at Tiiran and then back at Orin.

“They will,” Nikoly agreed, making both Tiiran and Orin frown. “But that doesn’t mean Orin will love them in return.”

Tiiran fought the urge to squirm under Orin’s displeasure. The need to squirm meant Tiiran had done something to warrant punishment. Nikoly’s words meant he must agree.

Orin stayed in Tiiran’s face. “The only reason your assistants do not declare their love for you is that they know Nikoly is waiting with a knitting needle should they ever try.”

Nikoly ducked his head. Tiiran tried to be annoyed with him but couldn’t.

“Then I will have to do something similar with your staff,” Tiiran answered after a pause.

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