Humiliation and fear rushed through Nadir—and then sparked into anger. He wastired.All his life he'd been a dutiful, obedient son. Abused. Neglected. Overlooked. Stolen from a life he would never know. Then he'd been a good citizen, siding with king and law against those parents. The only thing he'd ever truly wanted, he couldn't have until this was all over, and these men were trying to ruin it for him. He'd donenothingwrong, and yet continued to suffer. To be punished for the crimes of others.
He wasdone.
Nadir twisted and writhed until he was being dragged along on his knees rather than his back, and managed to grip the back of the bastard's belt. If the mercenary noticed, which he must have, he clearly didn't care, far more interested in getting Nadir to the horse.
There was a knife on the belt, loose in its scabbard like the mercenary had used it recently, or been too lazy to secure it properly. Nadir yanked it free, braced his free hand on the man's wrist, and sliced through his own hair.
The sudden loss of his weight sent the mercenary stumbling forward, and Nadir used the moment of surprise to regain his own feet and surge forward, slamming the dagger into the bastard's side, then yanking it out and thrusting it into his neck as he dropped to his knees from the shock of the pain.
Leaving him there, shaking badly, Nadir ran for the horse and clumsily mounted.
The mercenary lay dead in the sand, his blood soaking into it all around him. Bile burned in Nadir's throat. Tears stung at his eyes.
He would have to deal with it later, though. He urged the horse into motion and raced off down the road. When he came to a fork, he took the one that led away from the village he'd initially been headed for.
This would take him into Harn Province, and even further away from the palace, but it would make finding him more difficult once the others went looking for their dead comrade and realized what had happened. He could swing into Harn, then down to Tey, and cut east from there back into Salla Province. It would take him days instead of hours, but he stood a better chance of remaining alive and getting back home to Shafiq—and if no one could find him, no one could use him.
Nadir would be damned if anyone ever used him again.
*~*~*
He arrived in the dead of night, so exhausted he more fell off his horse than dismounted. The guards at the gate broke protocol and rushed to him, one helping him to his feet while another called for someone to come tend the horse.
"You are Lord Nadir, are you not?" the second guard asked. "His Majesty has put out strict orders for us to keep an eye out for you, and same for the city guard. Come, he said that you were to go to him the very moment you were found."
Nadir nodded, too tired and wrung out to figure out words right then. The guards summoned a servant once they were inside, who helped Nadir walk, for which he could only mumble thanks, for his legs were entirely too weak and wobbly from hours of hard riding to trust himself to walk the length of the palace alone.
It seemed to take them years to reach their destination: the royal wing, where Nadir had never really been, save for one illicit night in the garden. He didn't know if he should laugh orcry in relief as they were granted entrance to Shafiq's private chambers, and the servant gently helped him through the doors.
The room smelled of flowers and sandalwood, warm and fragrant and welcoming. There was color everywhere, in the drapes and bedding and rugs, the decorations on the wall. So in contrast to a man who most often dressed in somber colors with little embellishment.
"Nadir!" Shafiq said, rushing forward from where he'd been speaking with a servant. "Nadir, you're alive. Are you all right?"
"Just tired, Your Majesty," Nadir said, thanking the servant, who hastened out at Shafiq's nod. He sank to his knees, fighting exhaustion. "I am sorry I've arrived at—"
"No," Shafiq said, the words ragged. "You are sorry fornothing.Out," he added, sweeping an arm out to indicate everyone in the room. "I want everyone out. I need to speak with Lord Nadir privately. Have Captain Bahiyya summoned, but nobody enters until I grant permission."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the guards chorused, and in moments the room was empty of all but the two of them.
Before Nadir could ask what was going on, Shafiq dropped to his knees and pulled Nadir into his arms, fingers threading through his hair, and if Nadir didn't know any better, he'd swear Shafiq was trembling. "I'm so glad you're alive. I thought I would have to bury you as well."
Nadir's eyes stung as he lifted his heavy arms to hold Shafiq in turn. "I'd never let anyone take me away, not ever, but especially not now." He swallowed as Shafiq drew back and cupped his face, thumbs gently stroking Nadir's cheekbones. "Majesty?"
"I want you to use my name when we're alone. If I'd just been a selfish oaf from the start, this might not have happened, but you're home and safe, and I vow you will stay that way. Areyou still willing to be mine, Nadir? Even with all the trouble that being mine will bring?"
Pinching his eyes shut to fight back tears that escaped anyway, Nadir then opened them and said, "I've always been yours. Yes, my king, please."
"Finally," Shafiq said, and dragged him into a kiss. It was ragged, toothy, and graceless, but Nadir loved it all the same. He twined his arms around Shafiq's torso and leaned into him, eager to get as close as he could, feel warm and safe andhomeonce and for all.
What he managed to do was upset their balance, sending Shafiq splaying across the floor and him splayed across Shafiq. Not a bad place to be at all.
Laughing, Shafiq kissed him more softly—then wrapped his arms around Nadir and in a deft move Nadir couldn't follow reversed their positions. "Have I mentioned I like the short hair? I worry about what provoked the sudden change, but it suits you immensely."
"Oh, good," Nadir said. "I would have grown it long again if you wanted, but I admit I've always hated my hair and wasn't sad I had to cut it off to get away from that bastard who caught me on my escape."
"I sense you've quite the tale to relate." Shafiq kissed him again, pinning him to the floor and taking his mouth like he was determined to mark Nadirproperty of the king.
Nadir might have whined when he pulled back, even as his body reminded him he was far too sore and exhausted for any of the fun stuff he was now allowed to do.
