Page 30 of By Mistake
Like any zero class demon, Kressen fed on life, more or less, but where Shimari's specialty was death, where all his magic was bound to death, Kressen was bound to blood.If there was blood, there was control to be found, and that made him exceedingly dangerous.
"Who summoned him?"Oresti asked."Kressen, I mean."
Shimari shrugged, dropping his folded arms as he faced them once more."I don't know.I was banished before that answer was found.There weren't many in the city at the time who could have done it though, perhaps six people if I'm being generous with their abilities.Of those six…" He huffed softly."Oddly, it would have been a Farthing.I remember thinking at the time that would fit.He was the most hostile about the laws being written to better regulate magic.Overreaching control tantamount to enslavement, he liked to call it.He really and trulyhatedSendrus, and by association, Kolik.It would not surprise me at all to learn that he was the one to summon Kressen."
"And now his descendant harasses Andrus in hopes of gaining this house.As if he knows about the secret rooms, the books therein."Oresti's mouth twisted into a frown that always showed when he was thinking hard on something, sorting through some puzzle in his mind.
A knock came at the door, making Andrus jump.Before he could stand, Shimari moved to open it and admitted a footman.Andrus needed to learn everyone's name, but right now he could barely remember his own."Lord Bothwell, this just arrived for you by royal courier."
"Thank you," Andrus said, anxiously taking what proved to be…a newspaper?Why would a royal courier bring him a newspaper?He shot Oresti a look as the footman slipped away.
Oresti held his hands up."I haven't done anything.I stewed about the palace and sulked through my work for three days.I heard the rumors of you spending money all over town and came at once.I learned my lesson, I promise."
Scowling, not entirely certain he believed him, Andrus unfolded the newspaper—and stared wide-eyed at the announcement on the very front page before jerking away so sharply he upended his tea and sent the newspaper scattering across the floor."What did you do!"
"Nothing!"Oresti insisted, snatching up the scattered paper before laying it out on the table across the room, smoothing the crumpled pages out as he read the announcement for himself.
The words were seared into Andrus's mind.
LET IT BE KNOWN
All wrongs held against the Bothwell family are forgiven.The Crown considers Lord Andrus Bothwell, Ninth Marquess of Wistar, a friend.All who insult him insult Us.
BY ROYAL PROCLAMATION OF KING ORANTI
"I'm going to fucking kill him," Oresti said before looking up at Andrus, eyes wide and filled with panic."Andrus, I didn't know.I swear to you on my mother's ashes, I didn't know he was going to do this.I was mad enough about my sister sending that stupid invitation.There is no way I would have gone along with this."
Andrus heard the words, but he was too busy trying to remember how to breathe properly.
He had money again.The king had just cleared his name and restored his reputation.He had a demon for a personal assistant.
All his troubles were gone.Farthing—
"Farthing is going to kill us," Andrus said, drawing in a shuddery breath."You don't know how nasty he can really be.This will upend all his plans to take my house.He won't just—"
"I am a royal prince and that is a smarmy demon," Oresti cut in."Farthing can try all he wants, but he's not his ancestor.He can't summon a demon sufficient to do more than… well…" He grinned fleetingly."Move furniture.He's no threat to you anymore."
Andrus glared with every bit of unimpressed scathing he could muster."You're not funny."
"I'm a little funny," Oresti replied, still grinning."You know what all this means, don't you?"
Ignoring the absurd flips his heart was doing, Andrus crossed his arms over his chest and jerked his head to the side so he didn't have to look at Oresti's stupid, obnoxious, entirely too pretty face."I haven't the slightest."
Oresti's huff of laughter rolled through the room, even though it wasn't loud at all, and then Andrus's hands were being taken, arms forcefully unfolded, and his head turned so he had to meet Oresti's gaze."It means, my darling marquess, that you have no reason at all to refuse my request to court you."
"Maybe I don'twantyou to court me, you spoiled brat."
"You're like a little kitten living on the streets, hissing and spitting defensively, but the moment you get food and a warm blanket you start purring."
Andrus narrowed his eyes and tried to pull his hands free."I'm not akitten, you wretch."
Oresti's smile never wavered, only seemed to grow brighter."Can I kiss you, Andrus?Please?"
"If you must," Andrus said, because he wasstupid.Hopelessly, pathetically, absolutelystupidfor this infuriating man.
"Always so contrary," Oresti murmured before kissing him.It was whisper soft at first, the brush of a butterfly's wings against his lips, but at Andrus's sharply indrawn breath he pressed deeper, tasting and exploring,savoringlike Andrus was some treat instead of a complete and utter mess.His hands slid along Andrus's back to finally wrap around his waist, and Andrus was helpless to finally see if that hair was as soft as it looked, sinking his fingers in and holding fast.
The precious few kisses in his past, mostly drunks who wouldn't take no for an answer, had never been like this.Those had been wet and sloppy and disgusting and made him wonder why people liked kissing so much.
