Page 77 of A Crown of Lies

“There isn’t a more detailed map, I’m afraid,” Rowan said. “That shouldn’t be surprising, considering our people don’t go into the area. There were attempts to map it at one time, but they say the trees there seem to shift on their own, making it impossible.”

Ieduin bit his bottom lip to keep from making a sound as Rowan’s fingers slid into the right spot. Gods above, was he trying to make him cum in his pants in front of everyone? He should’ve been embarrassed beyond function at the idea, and he was, but the realization also excited him more.

The staff brought out the next course, chicken thighs in a garlic butter sauce and roasted root vegetables. It smelled delicious, but Ieduin was too distracted by what was happening under the table to eat any of it. He fought to keep his breath under control, to be silent, to keep from drawing any attention to himself. It was a losing battle. If Rowan didn’t let up soon, he’d lose control.

He leaned against the back of the chair and closed his eyes.Think of something depressing. Something unsexy. Come on, Ieduin. Shut it down. Something, something… Gods, anything but how good his hand feels on your stupid cock.

“Ieduin?”

His eyes snapped open, and he glanced down the table at Rixxis.

“Are you feeling ill?” She pointed at him with her fork. “You’re not eating, your face is all red, and you’re sweating.” She reached past him to put the back of her hand against his forehead. “And you’re all clammy.”

Ieduin pushed her hand away. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine,” she insisted.

Please stop talking to me. Stop noticing me. Stop looking at me. You’re making other people notice.“I just need water.” He grabbed the water glass that had been refilled and forced himself to swallow a little of it.

It was Ewan that came to his rescue, saying loudly, “Well, at least we’ll have the battle done and over with beforeFais Maru. Should be an interesting year with so many foreigners here.”

“Not that we have anything against foreigners,” Martha clarified, putting a hand on Ewan’s shoulder and smiling at them. “It’s just that it happens so rarely. Greymark has never been much of a tourist destination.”

“Aye, our traditions are misunderstood. We get treated like backward folk. Might be good to have the world see there’s more to it than a celebration of death and dying.”

Ieduin gripped the edge of the table, squeezing until his knuckles were white. Rowan was stroking him so hard, he didn’t know how anyone hadn’t noticed what he was up to. He tried to thrust into Rowan’s hand, but stopped himself. Someone would surely notice. He couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t stop the inevitable, but damn if he would not hold on for as long as he could.

“What exactly does the celebration entail?” Rixxis asked. “How does one celebrate death?”

“It is less a celebration of death and more of the spirits all around us,” Martha said. “OnFais Maru, the veil between the world of the living and the dead is at its thinnest. Spirits can move freely from one side to the other. It’s a time for reconciliation, reflection, and—”

“Merrymaking and mischief,” Rowan finished, smirking. “Trickery and truths, treats and terrors. Fun and—”

“Fuck!” Ieduin gasped loudly as he came in his pants, shuddering while Rowan stroked him through it, as if everyone in the room wasn’t staring at them for the outburst. Even the Crows down at the other tables had turned to look, the murmur of conversation in the room nearly gone.

Ieduin didn’t know if it was possible to die of embarrassment, but if it was, he might’ve expired in that moment. He had to do something, anything, to recover a little dignity.

As soon as he had half a brain cell that wasn’t dancing in bliss from orgasm, he knocked the half-full glass of water into his lap and hoped it’d look like an accident. Unfortunately, he miscalculated, and the glass rolled off his leg and shattered on the floor.

Rixxis jumped up. “Ieduin!”

“I’m fine,” he panted shakily. “I’m good. It’s only… It’s only water.”

“Let’s get you cleaned up.” Rowan made a show of snapping out a napkin and using it to dab up some of the water.

“I hate you,” Ieduin murmured so that only Rowan would hear, face red.

Rowan clicked his tongue. “A good boy would thank me.”

That was the last thing he wanted to do with everyone staring at them, but if he didn’t, things would only get worse for him later. He blew out a heavy breath, face burning hotter. “Thank you, sir.”

“Good boy,” Rowan purred and turned back to his guests. “No cause for alarm. All is well. As forFais Maru,it’s best experienced rather than described.”

“Well, I’m looking forward to that,” Rixxis said jovially.

“Gods willing we all make it back from the Wytchwood battle alive.” Ewan shook his head.

“I’ll second that,” Rixxis said.

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