Page 36 of By Mistake
"Clever."
"Basic nonsense," Shimari replied dismissively."Are we done here, then?Your sweetheart is worried about you, whatever he says otherwise."
"All done."
Shimari took his hand and in the next breath they were back in Andrus's home, in the study where he'd left them.Greivs and Andrus worked together at the desk like old friends, which pleased Oresti more than he'd ever admit.
Giving him an amused look, Shimari took a seat in the sitting area, where a book and glass of wine lay on a side table."You enjoy wine."
"It pleases when I've no need of real sustenance," Shimari replied, as good as saying he loved the stuff.
"You're home!"Andrus said, standing and moving around the desk."How did it go?"
Riding the marvelous high of that 'home,' Oresti pulled him in close and kissed him, keeping loose hold of his hips as he related the rather unexciting adventure."Thanks to Shimari, we will be able to trace where the letter ends up."
"The spell won't last long," Shimari said."The price of making it virtually unnoticeable is that it won't last longer than about twelve hours."
Oresti shrugged one shoulder, reluctantly letting go of Andrus."Should be all we need.How is it going with the correspondence?"
Andrus wrinkled his nose."He has me going everywhere.Teas, stupid exclusive clubs, three soirees—"
"Five," Greivs interjected."Over the next two months.The royal ball.Many things.You're going to need a proper secretary.Shimari won't be able to keep track of all your social engagements on top of everything else he does."
"I'll attend it tomorrow," Shimari said.
Andrus's fingers, soft and warm, touched around the wound Shimari had left."You should treat that."
"I'll be fine," Oresti said, but let Andrus push him onto the sofa and dutifully pulled out a bottle of healing ointment.
"You look like a smug cat," Shimari said.
"Be quiet."
Greivs chuckled from the desk."We should be returning soon.I bought you some time, but your father expects you for breakfast, and your sister wants to speak with you as well, and she'll be going to bed soon."
Oresti sighed."Fine.I did want to bring some of my things here for the sake of convenience."
Andrus rolled his eyes."I'm surprised only that you haven't already done so."
Grinning, Oresti stopped his fussing fingers, took back the ointment and put it away, then stood and swept Andrus into a last quick, burning kiss."I'll see you tomorrow.Did you have that list of books you wanted me to buy you?"
"No, because you're not buying me a pile of books."
"If you think I won't follow through on the threat to buy an entire bookstore—"
"I compiled it," Shimari cut in."If only to minimize all your ridiculous flirting."
Andrus rolled his eyes and retreated back behind his desk.Oresti sent Shimari a glare, but he only stared back, smug and unrepentant."Give me the list."
Shimari pulled a slip of paper from the book he was reading and held it out.Oresti tucked it away in his jacket."Ready to go, Greivs?"
"Of course.I'll return tomorrow, Andrus, to assist further with all of this and ensure your secretary is up to par on such matters."
"Can't be worse than me," Andrus said with a sigh."Goodnight, both of you."He smiled shyly at Oresti."Try to behave."
"Never," Oresti said with a wink before leading the way out.
Eleven
