Arden’s smile took on shades of even more mischief. “But as the long-lost twin of my dear heart and his work-ally, I would like you there. You may bring two guests as well.”
“Stop being dazzling,” Tiiran told him grumpily, feeling the seal beneath his fingertips but not cracking it.
Arden laughed, startling Nikoly into looking directly at him.
“Nikoly.” Arden bowed his head to him and then to Tiiran again. “Master Tiiran. Always a pleasure to deal with the fae. If you’ll excuse me, I have husbands to attend to.”
Tiiran had his mouth open, afuck the fae, on his lips, before he realized Arden was used to dealing with the fae, to quite literally bargaining with them, and Tiiran had just played along.
That was always how it was with Arden. As if Arden knew the outcome, or seemed as if he knew the outcome, and was merely waiting for Tiiran and everyone else to see it too.
It was extremely annoying.
“Oh.” Arden paused again, with Tiiran doing his best not to gape after him or think about smacking the smile off his compelling face. “Regarding my dear heart’s duties here and at my side, I had another thought: I don’t think he can represent the Great Library at council meetings anymore. He will already be there as my consort. That was why noble families asked me to marry again, after all, and also, his practical Arlylian spirit is an asset and a comfort to me. We will need another Master Keeper, of course. But… we will also need someone else to sit at the table.” He looked Tiiran right in the eye. “Someone who knows tradition but isn’t afraid to discard it when necessary. Someone who is not afraid of anything, when it comes down to it.”
Nikoly shot to his feet, a knitting needle clenched in each hand.
“Wait.” Orin was loud. “Arden, you can’t.”
Assistants were chattering, a buzz in Tiiran’s ears.
“I couldn’t.” Tiiran stared at Arden of the Canamorra and felt his heart race. “I’m not a beat-of-four.” He drew in a calming breath as he realized what Arden must mean. “You’re speaking of the Master Keeper meant to take notes on the proceedings. Surely Po would be better for that.” She would kill Tiiran for saying so, but he was right. “She doesn’t scare people.”
“I do not mean you bent over a notebook and biting your tongue while nobles argue.” Arden’s dark eyes did not leave Tiiran’s face. “I mean you at the table on my council, Tiiran of the Great Library. Someone who isn’t a beat-of-four might have something of interest to contribute.”
“Fuck.” It could have been Orin or Nikoly. When startled, Nikoly had a bit of muck-mouth too.
“Someone who isn’t a beat-of-four,” Tiiran echoed blankly, but then scoffed. “You should have many such someones helping you work out their fates. Beat-of-fours cause all the trouble for the rest of us, as though we don’t vastly outnumber you. Yet only one on the council?”
Arden shrugged, though Tiiran thought it was a lie. The light, or the fire, or whatever it was in his eyes once again a secret between him and Tiiran. “Just the one for now, and even that will be a fight. It’s taken me this long to feel secure enough to try. But who else would there be but you?”
“Fae-touched.” Nikoly seemed ready to faint. Tiiran reached out to steady him.
Arden flicked Nikoly a look, almost remorseful, but then his attention was back on Tiiran. “So you’ll be there? Mattin will be so pleased to see you.”
Tiiran frowned at him. “No one there will listen to me.”
Nikoly let out a long, unsteady breath. “Cael will.”
“Mattin will,” Arden added. “I will. Mil thinks you’re adorable.” Maybe Arden did feel remorse, because he gave Nikoly’s shoulder a pat. “It will be a fight, every step, every day. For some of us, that’s all we know. But it’s to protect them. It must always be for that.” He glanced over. “I am sorry, Orin. But you can see what he’ll be, can’t you?”
“But do you see the problem you’ve made for yourself?” Orin rumbled back. “Aside from the new enemies you’ll make.”
Arden stilled, head tilted toward Orin like a curious crow.
“At some point, Mattin and Tiiran will be in agreement against you. Areyouready forthat?” Orin used his mild voice, but it slid into something mean by the end.
Arden tilted his head in the other direction, apparently considering this.
He finally nodded. “I see. I would not be Canamorra if I weren’t also terrible. But that’s only a stronger argument for why he’s needed. For me, and for my dear heart when I am… when I am Arden Canamorra.” Arden looked back at Tiiran. “I will have to face that challenge when it comes.” Tiiran had no doubt that he would, the coal-raking menace, the fae-touched Canamorra miscreant. He huffed and Arden’s smile returned. “I hope to see you there,” he said, pleasant again.
He would have eyes for none but his husbands and not give one shit whether or not Tiiran was in attendance.
Arden waved his guards to stay away, apparently counting on Mil to direct him to Mattin. Mil likely would. Meanwhile, the library was full of outguards-turned-palace guards, and the assistants were staring.
Tiiran considered the ceiling as well as Arden’s irritating ability to act as though the outcome he wanted was always certain, even when he knew it wasn’t, then reached out for Nikoly, who seemed especially eager to be petted.
Nikoly was worried. So was Orin, who came over to stand so close to Tiiran he might as well have picked Tiiran up as he clearly wanted to. His hands slid over Tiiran’s waist, then his arms were around Tiiran and Tiiran was pressed against him, but Orin left Tiiran’s feet on the ground.
