Page 121 of A Tower of Half-Truths
“She was the last one.”
“About time! I love teaching, but by Selesta’s sagging left tit, do Iloatheexams.”
Alain agreed with the sentiment, though in less blasphemous terms.
“After we tidy up the room,” Declan said, “why don’t we wander over to the Lettered Gentleman for a couple of pints?”
Alain stifled a groan. He’d already spent the past eight hours in Declan’s company. Going to the pub would add another hour—or more. At this point, the only place Alain wanted to be was in his own sitting room, and the only company he desired was Mavery’s. The thought alone made his chest ache.
“I really ought to be going,” he said. “I need to work on—”
“Right, right, your presentation. We’ll make itone pint, then. It’s the least I can do to thank you for your help today. Besides, it’s been ages since we last went out together.”
Knowing Declan, accepting the invitation would be less of a hassle than attempting to decline it.
Alain sighed. “All right. But only one pint.”
While this wasn’t the exact table Alain had shared with Conor on that dreadful night, it was close enough. Simply being here was enough to bring about memories that Alain had no desire to ponder for too long. He took a careful sip of his ale. The moment the liquid hit his tongue, bile churned within his stomach. Declan had ordered him a dark, bready ale—not the same one Alain had drunk the last time he patronized this pub, but it was close enough. He lowered his tankard and pushed it aside.
Declan chugged from his own tankard, then wiped the foam from his mustache. “Oh, don’t look so dour. Compared to the fourth-years’ research papers I have to tackle tomorrow, today was painless.”
“If you’re asking for my help with those—”
“No, no, you helped plenty today. So much, in fact, I’d say I now oweyoua favor.”
Alain held back a scoff. That was a line Declan had uttered countless times. Holding him to it was another matter entirely, as he tended to conveniently forget promises made over pints of ale.
Declan rubbed his hands over his face. “Gods, what on Perrunpossessed me to give those fourth-years atwenty-page minimum? It’s times like this I wish I had an assistant again.” He threw back the rest of his ale, then slammed his empty tankard on the tabletop. “Speaking of assistants, what’s the story with you and yours?”
“Er, what do you mean?” Alain asked as the back of his neck warmed.
“You know very well what I mean.”
“I swear, I haven’t the foggiest.” Alain raised his tankard and feigned a sip, attempting to avoid Declan’s eye.
“Come off it, lad. Your lies are shakier than a virgin in a brothel.” Declan leaned across the table, lowered his voice a notch. “Unless you’ve got an unusual taste in fashion, those wereherknickers in your bathroom. You’ve made the beast with two backs, haven’t you?”
Alain flinched, and ale sloshed up his nose. “By the gods, Declan!” he sputtered. His heart raced as he glanced around the room, though none of the other faculty seemed to be paying them any mind. Even so, Alain also lowered his voice. “I can assure you, nothing of that sort happened between us.”
“Butsomethingofsomesort happened. And I doubt your eagerness to run home has anything to do with your presentation.”
“What gives you that idea?”
Declan laughed. “Lad, I’m over twenty years your senior and I’ve had three wives. I understand romance better than you do.”
Alain wanted to argue how having threeex-wives provided evidence to the contrary, but he held his tongue.
Perhaps Mavery was right: he should go easier on Declan. After all, the man had cared enough to attempt to visit Alain during his sabbatical. Even Kazamin had only ever managed to send the occasional letter that was well-intentioned but nonetheless dripping with disappointment. Declan’s actions, as far as Alain could tell, had been purely out of concern for someone he considered a good friend.
“All right,” Alain said. He rested his elbows on the table and leaned in. “If you must know, we kissed, but nothing happened beyond that.”
“Who initiated?”
“I hardly see how that’s relevant.”
“Trust me, lad, it’s of the utmost relevance.”
Alain sighed deeply. “I did.”
