"I've had better days," Aaralyn managed, desperately ignoring that he had just been hugged by a prince.How nice that prince smelled, how very warm and safe… He gave himself a mental shaking."Sadly, I've also had much worse.If— if I hadn't been a Tavamaran citizen…"
"It would have been their bodies in the harbor, not yours," Kurosh said idly."Depending on how they behave and what stupid actions they decide to take, it may yet happen anyway."
"You aren't supposed to say those things where the guards can hear," Bakhtiar said in amusement."It causes them significant distress."
One of the guards said dryly, "We've mastered the art of being selectively deaf where Lord Kurosh is concerned, Your Highness."
Kurosh grinned, all menacing delight, and Bakhtiar sighed while not looking even the slightest bit bothered.
Aaralyn wished, uselessly, that he could listen to them banter every single day.
"How is the new leg?"Bakhtiar asked."Such things are new to me, sheltered little prince that I am, but I tried to make certain you would receive only the best."
That made Aaralyn laugh."Has anyone ever tried to fob off their worst on you, Your Highness, that you have to worry about the possibility?"
The others laughed, and Bakhtiar grinned sheepishly."All right, fair enough.So it pleases?"
"Yes, of course it pleases.Thank you.I wanted to tell you so in person, but I did not want to bother you."He also hadn't even known where to start withfindingBakhtiar to do such a thing, but he wasn't going to say that aloud.
Bakhtiar's eyes burned, and he smiled softly as he said, "You could never bother me."
Kurosh, looking amused, said, "I'll see you back in your chambers, my prince."Then he and the guards were gone.
Being alone with a person of authority, especially such great authority as Bakhtiar possessed, had never gone well for Aaralyn.Margraves were cruel, and their spoiled despot heirs crueler still.Also, he was still learning a great deal of Tavamaran customs, especially all the complicated layers and nuances of court life, but he was absolutely certain he should not be alone with Bakhtiar."Your Highness?"
"I should probably wait until at least tomorrow to have this conversation," Bakhtiar replied, "but you have been badly hurt twice now, and I am tired of it.I dread what they might yet try to do to you, as offended Havarin nobles are malicious at best.We permit them to be here so we can keep an eye on them, but… Nevermind, none of that is important right now."
Aaralyn stared in awe and stupid, futile hope."I don't think I've ever seen a nervous prince before.Well, I'd never seen a prince at all before I saw you…"
Bakhtiar smiled sweetly, almost shyly."In the garden with my harem?By the false roses and honeysuckle?"
"How—" Aaralyn's face burned hot."My drawing.My missing drawing."He covered his face with his hands and begged the gods to vanish him from the earth with all haste.
Gently tugging his hands away, Bakhtiar held fast to one and used his other to nudge Aaralyn's head up with that same gentle touch.It left Aaralyn aching all the way down to his bones."You drew them so beautifully, my harem.Like you saw them as I saw them.I was entranced, and wanted to know more about you.Kurosh insisted on verifying you first, as I've had trouble with people in the past, a man who was besotted and was complicit in almost killing me."
"I understand," Aaralyn said."They should be careful and suspicious anyway.That's what they're for, right?To protect you.I didn't want anyone to see my drawingsbecauseI knew they would assume the worst.But I never… I'm just an ugly third-tier from Havarin, a slave with extra privileges really.And missing a leg besides."
It wasn't at all hard to see how somebody might become besotted with Bakhtiar, grow angry when his so-called affections weren't returned, and… He had seen and heard of similar before, though it was usually a spoiled margrave who grew enraged when a slave wouldn't love him as he wanted and had her killed—after making her suffer.
Bakhtiar stared at him like he'd lost his mind."Ugly?Havarin is even stupider than I already thought if they have you convinced of that.You're one of the most beautiful persons I have ever seen.Hair like a captured flame and eyes like the finest peridot.A life that should rightfully turn you angry and hostile has instead made you gentle.You must be close to me in age, but your eyes hold wisdoms I will never truly understand.Even when you are in immense pain, you think of others.You told Grand Duke Seius, a Havarin Untouchable, that he was a worthless coward.You're a wildflower, beautiful and tenacious."
"Your Highness…" Aaralyn said, voice barely above a whisper.
"As I said at the start of this conversation, I should wait to ask, but I cannot bear to let you out of my sight.You fled Havarin to avoid being a concubine…"
"I fled Havarin to avoid being raped and murdered.The harem I would have been forced into and trapped in until Pollux finally killed me is nothing like what I've seen here."
"Still, I am the most selfish and spoiled of brats in asking if you would agree to be my fifth and final concubine.It would be the greatest of honors."
Even though it had become obvious where this conversation was leading, still the words came as a shock.He genuinely couldn't tell if he was laughing or crying when he replied, "Yes, Your Highness.It would bemygreatest honor."
Bakhtiar cupped his face, thumbs wiping away tears."May I kiss you?"
"Whenever and as much as you wish."
Bakhtiar did so, soft and sweet at first, but deepening it quickly, like Aaralyn was something to be slowly savored.Like he was something precious.Aaralyn had never been precious before.He thought he rather liked it.
When they finally drew apart, Bakhtiar took his hand and led him across the room to the painting.He touched something behind the bottom edge of the frame, and Aaralyn gasped as it swung outward."Is that a secret passage?"
