Page 33 of By Mistake
No, this was a hired professional.Given they were skulking in an attic, they probably weren't hired to harass or harm the owners of the home he was inhabiting.If that was the case, he'd be somewhere lower, and well away from any windows.
A faint hint of movement, like somebody shifted, and then it all faded away, as though the person stepped back away from the window."They appear in the window every thirty minutes.Might be two of them, I can't tell for certain.There's a distortion spell on the windowpanes."
That was common in well-to-do homes, to ensure privacy.Shimari could break through the spell easily, but that would draw attention, alert the watcher they were being watched in turn."Looks like I'm going hunting."
"Hunting?"Andrus asked."Would you two stop ignoring me!"
"Someone is watching your house," Shimari said, slipping away from the window and crossing the room to Andrus."Specifically, they're watching you.Whoever hired them probably wants to know why you're suddenly wealthy and no longer a pariah, and hoping you'll lead them to the secret source of your success."
"The secret to my success is a couple of overbearing wastrels."
Shimari smiled, slow and, if Oresti was being honest, incredibly hot.To judge by the slight flush to Andrus's cheeks, and the faintest thrum in the bond, he agreed entirely.Something to explore later, maybe.
For the present, he needed more suitable clothing for sneaking about at night.Going home, though, would undoubtedly get him dragged into various other matters.So he wrote out a note to be delivered to his staff, who'd send everything he needed.Later, he would have to bring stuff here to keep, so he'd have clothes and tools more to hand.
He should probably ask Andrus for permission first, but the temptation to be presumptuous just to see him puff up like a kitten was irresistible.
Once he sent the note off, he turned his attention to the most immediate matter."I'm starving."
"Then go find food, Your Highness," Andrus retorted.
Joining them in the sitting area, Oresti said, "That's no way to treat a guest."
"Guests are invited.They don't show up and presume all over the place."
Before Oresti could reply, Shimari said, "He had food prepared that would keep, and the moment he was told you were awake, he had them warm and finish it."
Andrus scowled at him."Stop being such a brat."
"I'mthe brat?"
"Can we continue all this ridiculous flirting over dinner, please?I really am hungry," Oresti said.
"I'm not flirting!"Andrus said, more unconvincing than a child telling their first lie, and strode from the room without waiting for a reply.
Oresti exchanged an amused look with Shimari."Speaking of food, when will you require sustenance?"
"Not for a few more days.I availed myself while I was out acquiring money, setting up accounts, hiring staff and such."
"All right."
In the dining room, food had already been laid—a hearty looking soup that smelled of chicken, warm, toasted bread slathered in butter and melted cheese, and a pitcher of beer.Two places had been set, but a third seat had a cup filled with wine."Smells wonderful."
"It really does," Andrus said softly, almost looking for a moment like he would cry.
Why wouldn't he though?When they'd met, he'd had absolutely nothing in his pantry aside from stale tea and a couple of turnips.Now he not only had ample food, he had luxurious foods and things like alcohol, things most people took for granted.And he had staff to prepare them.Andrus probably didn't know what to do with himself, with a life that had changed in the span of a heartbeat.
All because he'd accidentally summoned one of the most dangerous demons in existence.
As if that wasn't enough, he was officially being courted by a royal prince.Oresti was lucky he wasn't being thrown out again.
He pulled out Andrus's chair at the head of the table, ignoring his fussing and protesting until he finally sat, and then took his own seat.Shimari sat across from him and sipped at his wine as they ate in silence for a few minutes.After two bowls of soup and most of two loaves of bread, Oresti finally sat back and slowed down eating his third bowl of soup.
"I'll follow—" he stopped when he caught movement at the door and broke into a smile."Greivs!"Pushing back his chair, he flew across the room to hug Greivs tightly."I didn't know you were back!"
"Could never stay away too long," Greivs said with a smile as they drew apart."Looks like quite a bit has happened in my absence."
"Sit, sit.Are you hungry?Is there more—"
