Standing opposite them was Kit.
Kit was dressed in his finery: long-sleeved shirt with intricate stitching, jet-black leather pants tucked into matching boots, and brown leather gloves. His tail lashed through the air behind him in an agitated manner, and the other party-goers were giving him a wide berth to avoid getting smacked. Kit’s brow furrowed, an irritated look fixed on Ios.
Ios flashed his teeth. Kit mirrored the gesture, and Ios tucked himself tighter to Seche’s side, still displaying his teeth in a snarl, yet hooking his tail at the same time, offering conflicting physical cues. Seche’s tail hovered around Ios, but swished in arelaxed manner. Whatever was playing out between Ios and Kit, he was clearly not concerned.
Nick’s guide surged ahead.
Kit’s gaze moved sideways, eyes flicking over the young kit before idly sliding past him, landing on Nick. The irritated scrunch between Kit’s brows vanished, his tail swinging into a hook, and above the hum of the crowd, Nick heard the purr of delight that burst from Kit.
Nearby kits turned curious looks on Kit, while Ios and Seche followed his gaze. Nick crossed the last of the space between them, grinning, loving the way that purr sounded up close, so delighted that Kit was happy to see him that –
Kit seized his face and licked his mouth.
“Hey!” Nick laughed.
Kit’s purr shook his hands as he delivered several more licks to Nick’s face in quick succession. A burst of ochre washed over Nick, flooding him with warmth. His fingers twitched, aching to seize a hold as Kit plastered against his chest. The kit who had guided Nick made a choking noise and sprinted away, calling, “Mission complete!” over his shoulder.
“You are early!” Kit’s purr grew louder. He rubbed his cheek against Nick’s, his tail hooking side to side incessantly.
“A little,” Nick said.
Kit attacked his mouth, tongue sweeping in to taste and feel. Nick’s eyes slid shut as he kissed him back. He carefully touched Kit’s sides, paying close attention for any sign of discomfort, but Kit hummed in approval. His tail swept up and wound its way around Nick’s arm.
Nick smiled against Kit’s mouth, holding him tightly, basking in his warmth, his touch, his smell, before finally realising that Kit wasn’t going tostopkissing him. Nick seized a modicum of control and wrestled it to the front of his mind;he leaned back—Kit followed—and Nick pushed him at the same time, breaking the kiss.
Kit made a soft objecting sound as they parted, gazing at Nick through hooded eyes, breaths sliding through glistening pink lips in soft pants. A glorious red had spread across Kit’s cheeks, and Nick’s fingers tightened on Kit’s sides as he took him all in.
“You are three weeks early.”
“I expedited training. And the journey here was only a week.” Having an engine to get upriver made the trip much faster. “The river was busy. And here too,” he noted. “People seem happy.” Three months and the evidence of hunger had disappeared.
“We have been trading the council’s riches for resources. There is enough food for all, and we have begun to replant crops.” Kit remained standing overly close to Nick, staring right at his face as he spoke.
A figure appeared at Nick’s side, and with his nose plugged, Mini offered Nick a goblet. “This one’s from my keg. It’s the best one,” he added, certain. “Kit said so.”
Mini had grown a good three inches, coming to Nick’s shoulder now.
Nick accepted the wine. “Lua?”
Mini nodded.
“Did your family accompany you?” Ios asked. He slid away from Seche’s protective arm but positioned himself on the far side of Mini, as though to use the child as a shield from Kit’s tail. Kit didn’t even bat an eye at Ios getting closer, full attention remaining on Nick.
“My brothers, Laurence and Connor, are here. And Connor’s boyfriend, Adonis. He’s the merman you met in the church.” The one who had killed their nightmare.
“Will they be attending the party? I can show them around,” Ios offered.
“Laurence is sleeping, and Connor won’t want to leave him on his own. Thanks for offering, though.” Connor was oddly averse to new people. Not that he wasn’t sociable—because he was, and he never shied away from spending time with any of them—but despite Laurence’s bounding interest in the city just by The Tear and his persistent begging to be brought there to have a look, Connor was far more inclined to disappear with Adonis and a book and spend his days lazing around in the ocean.
“I am glad to see you returned, Nick,” Seche greeted.
The last time Nick had seen Seche, the kit had an arrow stuck through his back. “Ios has you all healed up?” he asked.
Ios’s chin rose, clearly pleased to be mentioned in regard to Seche’s recovery. “I’ve been tending to his every need. Even –” A tail swipe swiftly shut Ios up. Seche smiled.
“We will leave you two to catch up. Enjoy your night,” Seche said. He walked away, managing to tangle his tail with Ios’s and drag the protesting young man along without batting an eye. Nick eyed Seche for any sign of injury, but the man seemed unharmed, walking with a steady, sure stride. Dating a healer probably helped him along considerably.
“This way.” Kit pressed his hand to Nick’s lower back and guided him out of the courtyard. Mini followed on the other side with a fixed glare until Nick sipped the wine. The moment he tasted it, without waiting for a reaction, Mini turned on his heel and trotted off, joining a gaggle of kids waiting for him.
