Alexios

  Arun keeps close as we ride into town the next week. He keeps his sketchbook clutched to his chest tightly while his tail curls nervously around his leg. I make sure to keep my hand settled over his knee, almost as a grounding ritual, until we finally arrive to the art studio.

  Fortunately, there are no business meetings on my agenda so I settle quietly at the back of the classroom. It’s hard not to notice when the other students curiously glance my way every now and then, but I do my best to ignore it. My attention is all Arun’s.

  He takes his place in front of his easel and begins to sketch quietly. I can tell by his steady hands that the rest of the world has already fallen away. Watching him is enough to steal my breath. Even from the back of the room, I can feel the tenderness of his heart flowing right onto the easel in front of him.

  Shortly after, another tiefling walks over and I realize this must be Kayel. He grins as he looks over Arun’s work and they immediately fall into a playful conversation, with Arun laughing brightly when Kayel points at something on the easel. They both laugh when Arun swats him playfully with a rolled-up paper.

  Watching them fills me with joy. Arun deserves this. He deserves not only a friend, but a companion who sees him not as odd or unusual, but just… as one of them.

  Their horns. Their tails. Their eyes that almost seem to glow when the sunlight hits them just right. For what almost feels like a rare moment now, I’m not thinking about anything other than watching Arun laugh and live.

  Kayel turns to me as he and Arun softly chuckle to one another again. His tail curves behind him reluctantly, but then he excuses himself and walks over to me.

  “You… you must be Alexios,” Kayel says politely.

  I bow my head in response.

  “You are Kayel, I see.”

  He smiles warmly at me. Though channeled differently, he carries that same spark I see in Arun, except for Kayel, it’s almost seems… restless. Likely because of that boldness of youth Kayel still carries.

  “He talks about you all the time,” he admits. “I don’t think he really knows how often he does it.”

  I chuckle softly and lean back in my chair.

  “Is that right?”

  Just past Kayel’s shoulder, I see Arun, full of intrigue, turn towards us. Kayel turns to look at him too before facing me once again.

  “He’s kind. Far more kind than anyone I’ve met here.”

  “Yes,” I agree, meeting Kayel’s eyes. “Yes, he is.”

  Finally, the tutor signals the end of class and the room is suddenly loud with the sound of chairs being moved and small chatter as everyone gathers their things. I watch as Arun carefully packs away his sketchbook and brushes. Meanwhile, Kayel practically bounces back over to him, leaning in to whisper something that instantly makes him smile.

  Seconds later, Arun makes his way over to me, tail swaying happily while his cheeks stay flushed.

  “Can we go to dinner with Kayel and Eoin tomorrow?”

  I raise my eyebrows but can’t stop the smile that finds my lips.

  “Tomorrow?

  He nods excitedly.

  “Yes! He said they’re both so excited.”

  Arun’s joy is too damn infectious and I can’t help but lean down to capture his lips with mine. His tail is swishing back and forth so much that I’m surprised it isn’t knocking over a stray cup of pencils sitting on a nearby tables. Hells, maybe even the chair itself.

  “Then tomorrow it is,” I tell him simply. “How could I possibly say no to you?”

  “They’re going to love this,” Arun says, grinning as wide as he can. “I just know it. Thank you, Alexios.”

  “You don’t have to thank me, my love.”

  As we leave the studio together, Arun slips his hand in mine, talking excitedly about what he might wear and what treats Kayel likes best.

  --

  The Siren’s Tavern on the outskirts of Thistlemere is surprisingly lively tonight. Not in a bad way, thankfully. To my amazement, Arun seems to relish in the energy. A balcony table overlooking the square below has been reserved for us and it’s the perfect spot to listen to the string quartet playing below.

  Arun sits beside me, beaming with pure joy, while Kayel leans into Eoin just across from us. Specialty cheeses from Zoksu and Komori, figs drizzled in honey and thin slices of meat are placed in front of us. Arun and Kayel share stories from their previous classes while Eoin and I listen, but eventually the attention turns to me.

  “I can’t believe I’m having dinner with the Alexios of Blackwood Plantation,” Eoin says. “Well… Lord Alexios, I suppose?”

  “I am just Alexios,” I tell him casually as I smile in his direction. “Not a Lord. Just… Alexios.”

  Eoin nods slowly as if he’s weighing my answer.

  “Are you a Blackwood as well?” he asks, fully intrigued. “I didn’t know the Blackwood family had drow lineage, but… I guess no one really knew too much about them in the first place before they disappeared.”

  Arun looks between us, clearly flustered by the question. Strangely, I don’t mind it.

  “Oh,” I start. “No, I’m not. The farm and its land were offered to me a long time ago by a once-close friend.”

  Bit of a loose term there, I say to myself.

  “Ah,” Eoin says. “That makes sense. Guess a plantation’s not too far off from a farm.”

  As the night goes on and more wine is shared between the four of us, Kayel dramatically describes a bard he and Eoin met just a few nights ago. Every so often, I catch Eoin watching me as if he’s trying to understand how I manage to carry both the power to lead a prestigious plantation and tenderness at the same time.

  Arun sketches in between sips of his wine while Kayel leans over to watch. Shortly, warm pastries dusted with powdered sugar and fruit glazed with honey are placed in front of us by the server.

  “I’ve decided Arun is far too good at sketching,” Kayel says suddenly. “It’s just unfair. Next time you bring your sketchbook, you have to draw me looking heroic instead.”

  Arun’s tail rubs against my leg under the table.

  “Did I see you almost trip over your own chair in class yesterday?” Arun teasingly asks.

  “Eh, you could draw him with a crown,” Eoin suggests. “Since he’s the king of clumsiness and whatnot.”

  I can’t resist laughing softly at Eoin’s words. Arun takes one of the berries and playfully tries to feed it to me.

  “Ugh,” Kayel starts, pretending to cover his eyes. “You’re going to make us look boring.”

  “You’re anything but boring,” Eoin replies smoothly, smiling softly as he kisses Kayel’s cheek.

  When I glance around at the four of us sharing a night of joy, it’s easy for me to let myself believe in the simplicity of it. Once the plates are cleared away, all of us lean back in our chairs, cheeks glowing from the wine. Well, most of us. Arun is still fidgeting with his fork when I feel his tail swat in apprehension.

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  “Alexios and I were attached recently,” Arun blurts out.

  Kayel straightens up immediately in his chair.

  “What?!”

  “Attacked?”

  “Arun…” I try to start, but he just nods. “We don’t need to tell…”

  “A group of thieves,” he continues. “They tried to steal our things… and then me. It was terrifying.”

  I hear what must be Kayel’s tail aggressively slapping against the floor, just once.

  “Gods above,” Eoin gasps. “Are you two alright?”

  “We are now,” Arun tries to smile. “Alexios protected me. He…”

  My hand moves quickly to squeeze Arun’s thigh to quietly tell him not to say too much. Eoin and Kayel turn their attention to me now.

  “We’re so grateful you were there to save him,” Kayel tells me with tears in his eyes. “You both could’ve been hurt.”

  Thankfully, Kayel steers the conversation back to lighter things, but I can still feel Eoin’s eyes following me. Does he know there’s more to the story than what Arun lets on?

  Arun’s hand slips into mine, tail brushing lightly against my leg as the four of us leave the tavern.

  “Alexios?” he says, tugging on my sleeve. “Can they come to the plantation tonight? I’d… I’d love to show them our home.”

  Arun’s eyes meet mine and I realize he’s not just asking permission. He’s asking if I will open my entire world to them. Kayel’s ears flick eagerly while Eoin’s eyes widen at the ask. The manor is more than just… our home. It’s our sanctuary.

  But the joy in Arun’s amber eyes leaves me no choice.

  “Of course,” I finally answer. “If that’s what you want, then yes.”

  Arun and Kayel’s excitement spills over. Surrounded by their happiness is more than enough to keep the shadows of the thief attack at bay.

  --

  As soon as the carriage rolls through the gravel drive, revealing the tall windows of the manor and the fields rolling into the darkness, Kayel presses his face to the window with his eyes wide and tail curled tight.

  “By the nine hells…” he gasps. “Arun, this is where you live?”

  Arun squeezes my hand and the smile on his face when he turns to me is both proud and bashful all at the same time.

  “Yes… it’s home.”

  The servants bow to us as they open the doors of Blackwood Manor and we make our way inside. The servants bow as the doors of Blackwood Manor are opened for us. We step through quickly. Kayel turns in place, desperate to take in as much of the surrounding area as he can. His attention turns to a few paintings just outside of my study, then to the candlelit hallway.

  “Magnificent,” Eoin whispers as he steps closer to Kayel. “Like something from a storybook.”

  Arun’s tail swishes with delight as he takes their cloaks and leads them further into the house.

  “Come with me,” he tells them both. “I want to show you the healing room and the library. You’ll love the library.”

  I follow behind them, giving them distance so it doesn’t feel like I’m hovering. Kayel’s wide eyes and uncertainty almost remind me of Arun when he first arrived here. They are both glowing with joy now as Arun guides him through the halls.

  “This is the healing room,” Arun says as he pushes the door open.

  Kayel steps in first, eyes immediately being pulled to the rows of jars filled with tinctures and salves.

  “This is where you practice?” he asks, mouth falling open.

  “Yes,” Arun answers him proudly. “I help the field workers and house servants here. Cuts, burns… you name it. Sometimes, it’s just exhaustion but it still matters.”

  Eoin runs the tips of his fingers softly over a neatly organized shelf of herbs.

  “The power to turn suffering into ease is no small thing, Arun.”

  Arun’s tail almost curls in between his legs at the compliment. Even after all this time, he’s not used to being told how amazing he is. I make note to tell him more often. Before Arun can get too overwhelmed, he gestures for them to follow.

  Finally, they make their way to the west wing of the manor and he throws open the door to the library dramatically.

  “And this… is my favorite room.”

  Kayel and Eoin both let out audible gasps as their attention pulls to the walls of books stretched up into the ceiling.

  “Oh, Arun…” Kayel mutters, spinning slowly as he steps in further. “You just… live with all of this?”

  Arun nods.

  “I’ve barely read even a small fraction of it,” he admits. “But it’s mine to explore. Well… ours.”

  He gestures in between us. Eoin stays quiet for the most part, likely just taking in the sheer wealth of knowledge I’ve given Arun.

  “I think I could lose centuries in here,” he speaks softly, at last.

  Arun laughs and pulls Kayel towards one of the bookshelves. I remain at the doorway with my arms folded loosely, to give Arun room to shine for himself. His heart is so wide open, it almost hurts to look at it.

  “Alexios had it built specifically for me,” he admits as Kayel trails a finger over the spines of a few books.

  Eoin’s jaw drops as both his and Kayel’s eyes snap to me.

  “You… had this built? For Arun?”

  Arun ducks his head as his tail curls in bashfully.

  “He wanted a place for learning and my art,” Arun adds as his eyes shine in my direction.

  “That is no small gift, Lord… um… Alexios,” Eoin says. “It’s one thing to offer shelter, but knowledge too?”

  Arun smiles brightly and pulls a book from the shelf.

  “He’s given me more than I can ever repay.”

  I move to him at once and brush a few fingers through his hair.

  “You know you owe me nothing,” I tell him confidently, then I turn to Eoin and Kayel. “I had this built for Arun because he is worthy of everything the world denied him before.”

  When Arun leans into me, the entire library almost seems to shine brighter even at night. Kayel looks as if he could happily lose himself in these books for hours, but I can see a bit of hesitation in the movement of his tail, just as I typically can with Arun. I wonder if he thinks they’ve overstayed.

  “Would either of you like more wine?”

  Kayel’s head rises as he grins from ear to ear.

  “Gods, yes. I bet you have the good stuff too. Sorry, Eoin. It’s just… it’s not every night I drink wine in a library this grand and at Blackwood Plantation, if I might add.”

  “It would be rude to decline if our host is pouring,” Eoin teases.

  I call for a servant who brings a bottle of red wine back to us, imported all the way from Vineshade in Faer?n. The sound of wine being poured into the crystal glasses fills the silence. Kayel accepts his with both hands. In contrast, Eoin takes his with a polite bow of his head, fingers placed elegantly on the stem.

  As I relax in the small reading nook, Arun joins me, tucking himself against my side as his tail winds loosely around my leg.

  “Good company, books and wine,” he whispers to me, clinking his glass gently against mine.

  Just as it did at dinner, the wine makes Kayel a bit more animated and dramatic as he tells another story about nearly setting his sleeves on fire. Arun nearly falls out of the nook’s chair, laughing harder than I’ve ever heard while his tail flails wildly. When Kayel gestures a little too broadly, he almost sloshes his glass across the rug.

  “Kayel!” Eoin yells out. “This rug probably costs more than your entire art class and the tutor’s salary.”

  Another wave of laughter comes from Arun and soon he’s up on his feet again, pulling Kayel to another bookshelf.

  “Look at this,” he says eagerly, placing his wine glass down gently on the side table before pulling out one of the heavier books. “This one is my favorite. It has illustrations of old Calimshan temples.”

  “This is incredible,” Kayel breathes out as he leans in to get a better look. “This looks… ancient. Where did you get it?”

  Arun leans in, covering his mouth with one hand as he whispers, but I hear it anyway.

  “Between the two of us, I think Alexios stole it from some library.”

  Kayel’s turns to me then, eyes wide. I shrug lazily, smirking as I take a sip of wine. Technically, I didn’t steal it.

  Eoin joins them a few seconds later, eyes moving across the pages thoughtfully. Arun flips through more pages while Kayel asks questions and Eoin adds a small observation here and there. I choose to sit back with my glass of wine and watch the three of them. I’ve poured so much into this home, yet this is the first time it’s ever truly felt alive.

  Eventually, Arun closes the heavy book and places it back in its respective spot on the shelf. When we meet eyes, we both realize it’s far later than I’d intended and it seems like the servants have already retired for the night.

  “Alexios,” he starts hesitantly. “Can… can they stay the night?”

  Kayel almost spills the rest of his wine.

  “Stay… what?”

  “Why not?” Arun shrugs. “We have plenty of space and it’s late. Please, Alexios?”

  A part of me worries about the thought of strangers sleeping under my room, but… the joy on Arun’s face…

  He steps closer, big eyes full of pleading. I take his hand in mine before gently kissing each one of his fingers.

  “If Kayel and Eoin are alright with that, then yes. They may stay.”

  Kayel gasps.

  “This is officially the best night ever.”

  Eoin bows slowly in my direction.

  “Thank you,” he beams. “We’re grateful for your hospitality.”

  Even in my wariness, I’d give anything to see Arun smile. He immediately takes Kayel and Eoin’s hands, practically dragging them both from the library.

  “Come on, I’ll show you the guest rooms!”

  Kayel stumbles a bit as Arun pulls him through the hallway.

  “You have guest rooms?” he whispers in amazement.

  Arun laughs as Eoin slows down to walk beside me.

  “You’re very generous,” he tells me kindly. “Allowing us into your home on such quick notice speaks… volumes about you, you know.”

  When I look down at him, I only find sincerity looking back at me. We reach one of the guest rooms and Arun rushes to show off the hearth and even the carved wardrobe. Kayel instantly flops down onto the mattresses, groaning with delight.

  “This feels like a cloud,” he declares.

  Eoin rests his wine glass on the bedside table’s coaster.

  “Thank you,” he tells both of us. “I mean it. This is… incredible.”

  Arun and I both bow politely.

  Kayel laughs wildly and buries himself further in the pillows while Eoin gracefully sits on the edge of the bed as he loosens the cuffs on his robe. Arun stays with them a little longer to make sure they’re comfortable.

  “There’s a bath just down the hall if you need,” he informs them. “It’s stocked with the finest lavender and rosemary oils money could buy.”

  Eventually, he steps back to my side and slides his hand into mine. When I see him glowing with joy in the candlelight of the hallway, I realize I’m glad too. He leans against me as we walk, tail touching the back of my leg every now and then.

  “I’m glad they’re here. Thank you for saying yes. It… it means so much to me.”

  I lean down to kiss near the base of his horns as we make our way closer to the bedroom.

  “I’d give you anything, Arun. You should know that by now.”

  As soon as we step into the bedroom, Arun cracks open the balcony doors to let in the cool night air. When he shrugs off his shirt, I step behind him and slide my arms around his waist. He melts into me instantly with a gentle sigh. I turn his face towards me and kiss him slowly, still tasting the wine on his lips.

  “Hold me tonight,” he whispers softly as we part.

  I nod and cradle him in my arms to carry him to bed. His head rests on my chest as soon as we both fall under the sheets, wrapping him in both the blankets and my arms. Even with his horns almost somewhat digging into my chest, I don’t mind. My fingers brush through his hair before dropping to stroke idly down his back.

  But when my heartbeat skips, I know something’s wrong. Even as my body locks, my arms instinctively tighten around Arun. My heart begins racing so violently, it almost feels like it will tear through my chest.

  I wait… and wait for the poison of the queen’s words to seep into my mind, but it never comes. It doesn’t matter though. I’m still grasping onto Arun like he’s the last thing holding me to this plane even as my mind spirals, unable to steady my shaking hands.

  What is happening to me?