Page 28 of Heart of the High King
Chapter 12
“Paunchy, it’s too damn early in the morning for your scowling, and for cripes sake, Sullivan, stop buying him shit in green and red. He looks like a deranged holiday tree,” Charlton complained.
“Let me have my fun, Your Highness,” Sullivan chided.
“What are we going to do about D’Vaire, Your Highness?” Rafferty blurted out. Although he’d procrastinated about having this discussion after texting with Aleksander, he wanted to return. It might not even be awkward this time around since they’d had nearly three wonderful weeks of texting.
Charlton waved a dismissive hand. “Sullivan found me a website to meet attractive women. I’ve had three dates already, and each of my lovelies wishes to see me again. I’m quite the warrior in the bedroom. D’Vaire is less of a priority right now.”
“What does that mean?”
“Don’t worry about it. Just keep working on making an ally of him.”
“He invited me to D’Vaire.”
“Already?” Sullivan asked. “We were just there a few weeks ago.”
Rafferty tried not to blush as he shrugged. “I guess we get along well.”
“Well then, isn’t that encouraging?” Charlton mused, snatching a piece of bacon from his plate. “Has a lot of powerful friends, doesn’t he?”
“The emperors are part of his extended family,” Rafferty confided, with a strange twinge of guilt. It was a matter of public record, so had no idea why it felt weird relaying information Aleksander had shared with him to his father and brothers.
“Paunchy, get in good with this guy. We’ll need to get him to invite Sullivan and me to the parties and such he attends.”
“His Highness doesn’t go to parties.”
“What nonsense. He’s powerful and connected. You and Sullivan need to go back to his house if he’s extended an invitation. I might want to take one of my new lady friends, so try to get some classy thing for next week. Stay away from any queers, though. I don’t want that shit rubbing off on you two. I didn’t raise you to do unnatural acts.”
“I don’t see why I should have to go,” Sullivan stated. “It’s bad enough that one duke will be absent, making it harder to get things done. If Rafferty and I both leave, you’ll not have anyone to help you.”
“That’s the damn truth. Neil. Nollan. You hear this? You’re worthless. All you do is spend money and cause trouble,” Charlton hollered. Although he was normally generous with them, they’d gotten charges filed against them for their misbehavior again. Rafferty was starting to wonder if they were going to wind up in a fallen knight prison before long.
“At least we ain’t hanging out with queers like Paunchy,” Nollan sneered.
“What queers are you friends with, Rafferty?” Charlton demanded.
“I don’t know what Nollan’s talking about,” Rafferty retorted, slamming his napkin onto the table. For once in his life, he’d lost his appetite. It was none of his business what happened in someone’s bedroom, and it should have no impact on his relationship with them, but that mindset was one of the many things he was realizing separated him from the rest of his family.
“You said the D’Vaire king is friends with the emperors,” Neil pointed out. “That’s two men quite open about having sex together.”
“He’s a High King, so use the right title, and Fate chose the emperors. She must be okay with their sexuality,” Rafferty shot back. Silence fell over the room as he got to his feet. A moment later, so did Charlton.
“Now look here, Rafferty. You know that’s not natural, and I won’t have any son of mine saying different. We need someone like D’Vaire to get us in the right circles, but that doesn’t mean we like what he or his family stands for. Don’t let his ideas influence you. All you need to do is your job. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Good, now go upstairs and pack your things to go to Arizona. You’ve only got two nights there; we can’t be wasting money on a hotel any longer. And have Sullivan help you pick out your clothes. I don’t know what those people must think when you show up dressed like that.”
Rafferty went upstairs without wondering if his brother would assist him in pairing shirts, pants, and the sweaters that he thought hid his fat better. As far as Rafferty was concerned, Sullivan was useless in that department. Since his oldest sibling delighted in putting together things that had his father complaining, Rafferty doubted he would aid him in not looking stupid at D’Vaire. At least he’d ceased being embarrassed about the fashion misfortunes he was unable to perceive.
Ignoring the banging on his door once he got into his room, he sat on his twin bed and thought about what to say to his friend, Aleksander. Liking that he had a nickname precious to him since Molly had used it, he wanted to reciprocate.I can come visit you, Sander.
Sander, huh? That’ll work. I’m so glad you’re coming back finally! When can you come?
Um…today?
Wonderful! I’ll get Noir to ready a room.
