Page 3 of Orange Spell
He grinned and swallowed what was left of his drink.He needed a new one.
He felt warm and relaxed, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.He loved his job, but some days, he thought he should have chosen something less stressful.Not that he’d had a choice.He’d been handpicked by the old king to protect the future king, and that had been that.He hadn’t had a say in what he’d do with his life, but he couldn’t say he minded.Things weren’t always easy, but he worked with his two best friends, and his job was important.
He glanced around the dining hall.The party was already in full swing, but Killian hadn’t made an appearance yet.Hedley wouldn’t come at all.He was too busy with the children, but then, no one had actually expected him to come.Most people had accepted him as their king consort, but some dragons were still wary of him since he was human.It was stupid, but people could be stupid sometimes.
Marlin wasn’t looking for anyone in particular, but his gaze stopped on Curran.Marlin was surprised to see him there.He hadn’t expected Birch’s brother to be, but maybe he should have.Curran was young.He should be partying now that he had the opportunity to do so.
Things would have been very different for him if Killian’s father had still been in charge.He would’ve been forced to have children—hell, it was a miracle he hadn’t been before the old king was killed.It was probably because he was Birch’s brother, but the thought of Curran having children with someone he hadn’t loved or even disliked made Marlin want to punch the wall.
He eyed the stone wall behind him.He knew it was the alcohol speaking, which probably meant he should slow down.Curran wouldn’t be forced to have children with anyone.Hell, he didn’t have to have children at all if he didn’t want them.The clan was free of Killian’s father.He would never hurt them again.
Marlin pushed up from his chair and stumbled.He hadn’t drunk that much, but clearly, it had still been too much.He didn’t want to make a fool of himself, so he should slow down.
He made his way toward Curran.He wanted to make sure that his best friend’s little brother was okay.Curran looked like he didn’t want to be here, so maybe he should go home.At the very least, he needed someone to keep an eye on him.
Marlin wouldn’t hesitate to volunteer for the job.He’d been keeping an eye on Curran since Curran was a kid.Curran had never felt like Marlin’s brother, thankfully, but Marlin cared about him.
He stumbled on someone’s foot and turned to glare at them.They didn’t seem to care.They giggled, waving at him and trying to catch his hand.He extracted himself before they could pull him into the chair next to them and continued moving toward Curran.
Curran looked out of place.He didn’t have a drink in his hand, and he kept looking around as if searching for an escape.Maybe he was.It didn’t look like anyone was forcing him to be there, but Birch had seen things in his time as Killian’s bodyguard.There was always a way to force people to do something they didn’t want to do.Marlin would make sure Curran was okay.It was the least he could do.
“There you are,” a voice drawled.
Marlin turned to see Birch standing in front of him.He grinned and grabbed his friend, dragging him into a hug.Birch laughed, hugging him back.
“How much have you had to drink?”Birch asked when they separated.
“Not enough.”
“Are you sure about that?You look like you’re not very steady on your feet.”
“I’m fine.How much haveyouhad to drink?”
Birch snorted.“Nothing.I’m working, remember?”
Right.Birch needed to keep a clear head to protect Killian.“That’s a pity.”
“Tell me about it.I wish I could spend time with my boyfriend instead of having to watch Killian’s back, but it is what it is.”
Marlin wrinkled his nose.“You should wish you could spend time with me.I’m your best friend.”
Birch laughed.“You’vedefinitelyhad too much to drink.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I love you, but why would I want to spend time with you instead of my boyfriend?”
Marlin supposed that was true.Birch and his boyfriend had just gotten together, so of course they wanted to spend time together.
Marlin wished he had someone to spend time with like that.Unfortunately for him, his job wasn’t conducive to relationships.Many people tried to climb into his nest, but not many of them stayed.He couldn’t remember the last time he had a serious relationship.
He frowned.Had he ever been in a serious relationship?He didn’t think so, and wasn’t that incredibly sad?
Birch snapped his fingers in front of Marlin’s face, startling him.Birch laughed, but he also grabbed Marlin’s shoulder and squeezed.“Are you sure you’re okay?Because I can ask someone to walk you back to your rooms.”
“Why would I want to get back to my rooms?The party’s just started.”
“And you’re already halfway drunk.”
