Page 36 of Ryld's Shadows
He’d seen pictures, of course, but the reality of the station was so much more astounding. Huge, vaulted ceilings of glass and steel, enormous spaces so large, Hank was afraid they might be swallowed up. Standing in the middle of the entrance hall, somehow taking up far more space than his slender body could account for, was Kai, checking his watch and searching the crowd.
In a day of surprises, Kai managed to shock Hank, too. He wasn’t wearing a suit. Didn’t mean he wasn’t sharp and stylish in a tailored red shirt and black pants, but still. Hank hadn’t been able to think of Kai without his designer suits before now.
Maybe it was a genetic thing. Drow and stylish clothes.
Ryld also spotted Kai and smiled. “Kai Hiltas. We are not late, despite the kissing. Are you ready to travel?”
Both of Kai’s snow-white eyebrows shot toward the ceiling. “I suppose Tenzin would say that’s not my business.” He still shot a narrow-eyed glare at Hank. “Though do be cautious, you two. No, you’re not late. I simply like to have plenty of time to find the right platform.” Kai gripped the handle of his bag and turned sharply toward the escalators. “Come along then.”
Ryld followed, still smiling faintly, seemingly unconcerned. Hank suddenly had concerns though. His business or not, that look hadn’t been altogether friendly, and having a drow as powerful as Kai angry at him was high on his list of things to be avoided.
He kept one eye on Ryld, who walked in Kai’s wake with his head tilted back, engrossed in the structure of the building and oblivious to the people streaming around them.
A few times Hank was sure there was about to be a collision, but people seemed to veer away as soon as they strayed too close. Hank squinted but the few shadows around Ryld were tiny and could just as well have been created by the light.
Nope. Wasn’t Ryld. Kai was actually creating a wake as he strode through the station, a tiny bit of power shoved in front of him as a wedge, clearing a path. Hank couldn’t help a smile. He’d come to know Kai as the person who sat with Ryld and spoke with him in soft, gentle tones and he’d had trouble squaring that drow with the one people always talked about—arrogant, high-handed, impatient. Made him wonder how much of that was just social armor.
The trip would take three days but they had a private bedroom suite so they could avoid other travelers for the most part if they wanted to. That suited Hank and he could guess that Kai would be happy to shut himself away for the duration as well. Ryld was another story. The train, the noise, the crowds, the nervousness of going to a new place had him on edge. A stranger might not be able to tell—he was still and quiet for the most part—but Hank could see the tension in the way he held his shoulders, the wideness of his eyes, the way he kept his hands clasped and arms down, controlling the urge to twitch. The only thing that didn’t betray his nerves was the shadows, which were still small and unmoving.
As they stood in the small compartment that was currently set up to be a living space, he pointed it out.
Ryld nodded. “I am trying very hard to make sure there isn’ta scene.”
“You’re doing so well.” Hank took his hand and gave it a little squeeze. “So incredibly well.”
The look Ryld gave him was hard to read, but Hank thought there might be some relief there. His own relief only lasted until Kai pointed to the hallway.
“Mr. Onyx-Wainwright, a word, if you please. Ryld, we’ll only be a moment.”
Oh great. Here it comes. Hank sent Ryld what he hoped was a reassuring smile and slid the door shut behind him when he stepped out into the hall. “Sir?”
“I didn’t think you the sort, Hank. I truly didnot, young sir,” Kai hissed at him, his words short and clipped. “Taking advantage of someone so…inexperienced. Someone who trusts you.”
“Um. Well.” Hank ran a hand over the back of his neck, hoping his ears weren’t turning red. “I didn’t. I really didn’t. Ryld is very… Well, you know how he is. Direct. Right to the point.”
Kai’s gaze narrowed. “You’re saying he initiatedthis?” One slender, mahogany hand waved at the door, at Hank, at the world in general. “Whatever this is?”
“He asked if we could have sex. I said we should start with something smaller. Kisses, as he said.” Hank heaved a long sigh. “He’s not a child, you know. Different, yes, but he knows what he wants.”
A huff and an offended sniff later, Kai’s combative stance relaxed. “No, I suppose he’s not. I see him as a child. In drow terms, heisstill young, all other things aside. My apologies. He is vulnerable in so many ways, and I find myself more…protective than I normally would be.”
“It’s okay. I get that.” Hank gave him the start of a smile. “I feel the same way.”
“And more? Or do you simply indulge him in his requests?”
Hank considered saying it was none of his damn business. But that would be stupid. In close quarters, Ryld’s wellbeing was the business of everyone involved and he knew Kai had grown attached in an oddly paternal way. “I like him. A lot. I…don’t know if it’ll be more than that. Or is more than that. But he’s wonderful and talented and so smart. And sometimes he takes my breath away.”
“Very well, then. I shall, as Quinn says, take my drow nose out of things.” Kai patted his arm awkwardly and reopened the suite’s door.
Ryld stood in the center of the small room facing the door. He was completely still. His finely arched brows were drawn together. Hank had seen him display emotions in somewhat unpredictable ways, but this one was easy. He was mad.
“Kai Hiltas.” His voice wasn’t loud, but there was a sharp note to it Hank had never heard him use. “Eavesdropping is not polite, but sometimes can’t be helped. I do not wish you to be angry with Hank.”
“I am no longer angry with Hank.” Kai gave him a tiny hint of a bow with his hand pressed to his chest. “I misunderstood and have been corrected.”
“I know. Thank you. Yet this”—he made a gesture that seemed to encompass his body—“won’t go away. It’s irrational, and I don’t know why it won’t go away.”
Kai tilted his head to one side like a curious raptor. “It won’t…? Ah. Often, our body’s responses aren’t rational, little brother. Physiological response has to do with hormones and signals from the more instinctive parts of our brains. This happens when we have been frightened, too. The danger is past or has proved to be nothing, and yet our hearts still beat like trapped birds for several moments after.”
