“You already do,” Nikoly murmured. “You’d stab Mil if you thought you could get away with it.”
Ducklings came in all sizes, Tiiran had learned.
“He’s no stray. And he has a king for a Master.” Tiiran sniffed. “And Mattin as well.” Although Tiiran was not sure how that worked and was not going to ask. “He doesn’t getyou.”
Orin sighed heavily, but Tiiran thought he was pleased deep down. He always was whenever Tiiran and Nikoly were possessive of him. Tiiran didn’t know why, but it was no hardship to do it.
“If anything, you stabbing Mil would make him like you more,” Orin muttered, then straightened. “You’re anxious so you’re picking a fight, little cat. You know there are consequences for that.”
“Your office, Tiiran?” Nikoly suggested smoothly, and moved before either of them could answer, his measured, graceful steps away from the desk mesmerizing. Tiiran reached for Orin’s hand to pull him along as he followed after, not that Orin needed pulling.
“I’m only speaking the truth, Orin,” Tiiran remarked the moment they were out of sight of the tables.
Orin gave his bottom a good smack.
“Orin!” Tiiran complained breathlessly, instantly hot all over.
Nikoly opened the door to Tiiran’s office for them, and for Gray, who snuck into Tiiran’s office so often in his retirement years that Tiiran had set up a bed for him near the fireplace and Nikoly had built steps to the window seat so the aged cat wouldn’t have to jump.
Nikoly didn’t get a chance to step into the room, falling against the doorjamb and shuddering weakly when Orin loomed over him. Nikoly must have expected Orin to be focused on Tiiran. Which he was, to be fair. Orin had a hold of Tiiran’s hand and had not relinquished it. But his attention was hot on Nikoly.
“And how about our Nikoly? Were you good, pup?” Orin kept his voice low.
Nikoly’s gaze flicked to Tiiran, then returned to Orin. “I tried to be.”
“He was.” Tiiran always gave in but Tiiran also always meant it when he praised Nikoly. “I have been…. Well, he missed you.” Rather a lot, more than usual for an absence of only a few days. Perhaps the approaching wedding and all the new intricacies and dangers had Nikoly bothered too. Cael was undoubtedly tense as a lute string.
Orin gave Tiiran a questioning glance.
“He missed you a great deal. So I was trying to do as you do, Orin.” Not trying to be mean to the sunflower in his usual manner, but trying to be mean to him the wayOrinwas. “I have not let him finish since the day after you left.”
Orin stared down at Nikoly, who was shivering much more obviously now.
“But I continued to use him,” Tiiran related. “Or at least, I didsomewhat. But really, I wanted…. He’s so pretty when he’s flushed, Orin. I won’t be able to resist much longer.” Nikoly glanced at him, his cheeks darker and his lips parted. Tiiran came closer to pet him, then looked up at Orin. “So you should use him for a while first to make him wait longer because I can’t.”
Lyli’s shaky, soft moan was impossibly lovely. Tiiran was going to suck his cock until he was twitching and not once let him finish.
“Then you should use me,” Tiiran added thoughtfully, tugging Orin’s hand to his mouth to kiss his fingers. “Make him watch.”
“Very good, kitten.” Orin pressed a kiss to the top of Tiiran’s head. “Did you want to finish, Nikoly?”
Breathing hard, Nikoly nodded, then shook his head, then nodded again.
“Ah,” Orin said, seemingly calm. “Weren’t you good while I was gone? Don’t you deserve it? You have not even offered me a kiss in welcome.”
“Please. Please kiss me, Orin.” Nikoly begged immediately, right there in the hall, as if he was so riled and eager after days of Tiiran touching him and using his mouth that he had forgotten his dislike of being embarrassed.
“He was good.” Tiiran had to defend him. “There is pomegranate for you, Orin. Even though you didn’t come to see us first before traipsing after your king.”
“Myking,” Orin echoed, amused. “And you using me to bargain for Mattin’s happiness? Was that truly for Mattin, or was it because Arden had you flustered?”
Tiiran couldn’t cross his arms because Orin hadn’t let go of his hand. “I wasn’t really bargaining with you.”
“You were,” Orin corrected, unyielding. “And you will have to beg for forgiveness.”
Tiiran pulled in a long, steadying breath. That would have to wait. Nikoly had to be dealt with first, obviously. But the delay would make it better—worse, but better.
“Yes, Orin,” he went on, trembling inside. “Anyway, we could always go with you if he sends you away. I am quite a seasoned traveler now.”