Despite hours of drinking, Huan woke up wrapped in warmth and with a clear head. Eventually, bits and pieces of last night came back to him - the carrying, the tending of his bruises, the viscous concoction, the kiss, desire, hands, release - and now Huan was in bed in Kay’s arms. Unfortunately, a good night’s sleep meant that the aftermath of the Arena, Mei’s tears and fury and bloodlust, finally caught up to him.

  I shouldn't have broken it.

  The beast rumbled. She deserved it. She got in your way.

  She was trying to protect Dwayne.

  She was trying to protect the power he gave her.

  Mei isn’t like that.

  Everyone is like that.

  Everyone else is, sure. The Ri mage wants power, the witch wants the Ri mage, and the steward wants something.

  Only someone whose eyes had been stabbed out couldn’t see how Dwayne was deliberately gathering strength, both magical and political. However, when Huan had confronted him about at the Harvest Ball, Dwayne had reacted like the idea had never occurred to him before. That had been genuine.

  Doesn’t matter. The beast bared his teeth. He benefits.

  And yes, Magdala was in love with Dwayne, but that had nothing to do with teaching Mei how to read or taking her out to lunch. Sure, gratitude for a life saved explained some of that, but that was what money was for.

  It’s insurance for the future. The beast rose. What are you doing?

  Rodion was definitely getting something out of his relationship with Dwayne. There was no way someone that perfect would come work for the slovenly Lord Kalan. With his skills, Rodion could be serving rich, important families, not destitute ones that had to adopt former slaves as heirs. But he’d been kind to Mei too.

  Everyone is kind to her. The beast’s throat rumbled. Why?

  Enough.

  Pulling himself out of Kay’s arms, Huan rolled out of bed and reached for his clothes, but what he found instead was a thick grey woolen tunic and a pair of woven black leggings. Everything else, even his boots, had been replaced. Only his blue scarf was left.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Huan tugged at Kay’s shoulder. “Where are my clothes?”

  “Hmm?” Kay’s eyes blinked open. “Oh, you’re up.”

  “Where are my clothes?”

  “What?” Kay sat up, the blanket falling away to reveal his pale bare chest. “Oh, burned.”

  Huan’s eyes snapped to Kay’s. “Burned?”

  “They were bloody and vomit…ey. Burning them was a blessing. Come,” Kay took Huan by the arm, “you can wear the new clothes later.”

  “But,” Huan let himself be pulled into bed, “I can’t stay.”

  “Yes, you can. No one will look for you here,” Kay wrapped his arms around Huan again. “Hey, who was that with your sister the night of the Harvest Ball?”

  “Scrytive Void or something.” Huan frowned. “Why?”

  “Just remembering our enemies.” Kay kissed Huan’s neck. “You’ll be there tonight, right?”

  Huan winced. “I don’t know if I will.”

  The arms around Huan’s middle stiffened. “Why not?”

  “After Mei… After what happened…” Huan twisted round to look into Kay’s eyes. “Am I a bad person?”

  “Yes, you are.”

  The bottom fell out of Huan’s world. “W-what?”

  “You are a bad person,” Kay placed a hand on Huan’s cheek, “but you can be redeemed. The Empire, Lord Kalan, his pet savage, they led you away from the light, but I will bring you back.” Kay’s forehead touched Huan’s. “I will save you.”

  Huan drew back. “She said that.”

  “Your sister,” Kay’s nostrils flared, “defies the light, casts the righteous into the dark, harmed you. I-” He suddenly stilled. “You are mine, not hers, and I will save you.”

  Then Kay’s lips were on Huan’s, squashing any further protest, any further thought, and letting Huan get lost in a moment when there was only sensation and desire. It couldn’t last. He pulled back.

  “Delma says I have to decide tonight,” Huan searched Kay’s eyes, “whether or not to stay for the Day of Cleansing.”

  “Stay.” Kay kissed Huan’s fingers. “Don’t go. I-”

  No, not that. Huan rose. “I should go.” He pulled on the new tunic. “I have to go get my weapons.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  “No.” Huan kissed Kay back into bed. “You’re too clumsy.” He pulled on the leggings. “But you’ll hear from me tonight, one way or another.”

  “I’d better.” Kay lay back in bed to watch Huan finish dressing. “Be safe.”

  “I will.”

  When Huan stepped into the corridor, a few cenobites sent curious glances his way, but most continued on to breakfast. Planning how he was going to collect his weapons, Huan allowed the flow of bodies to push him towards the stairs. I’ll exit on the north bank and then keep heading north so-

  The beast took over. Someone’s watching us.

  Ignoring the thief’s protests, Tiger turned to inspect the cenobites, who continued to ignore him, although one with bronze on her surcote put a disinterested expression onto her face before turning away.

  Her. A quick punch and-

  No. The thief regained control. We will not start a fight in the middle of this fortress.

  Besides, the cenobite was already half gone, moving at speed down the corridor. Which was strange for some reason. Isn’t she from the staging camp?

  She was. Before Latia Arena, she’d demanded to know why Kay was taking five cenobites, two mages, a mysterious metal drum, and a thief into the forest. When Kay refused to answer, she’d limped away in defeat.

  I guess she got better. Huan headed downstairs.