Faust could play this game. Rene wasn’t around, after all, and it was an opportune moment to pursue Ignas. Faust smoothed out Ignas’s clothes with his other hand. “And how do you intend to distract me?”
Ignas’s grin grew. “With a bit of exercise.”
“Exercise,” Faust parroted. “In here?”
“There are plenty of nice spots, one being right here.” Ignas hoisted Faust closer and gazed into his eyes.
“It is a nice spot, but where else?” Faust traced a finger over Ignas’s lips, excited and nervous all the same.
Ignas nipped at Faust’s fingers with a low sound of approval. He tipped Faust back and sprawled Faust out on the wooden floor, leaning a breath away from kissing him. “This position is always welcome.”
Faust flushed up to his ears. His legs were spread on either side of Ignas’s hips, the most scandalous position he’d been in with someone else. He touched Ignas’s chin and admired his messy dark hair and light grey eyes. Ignas looked gruff today, his attire dusted with dirt from the scuffle earlier. Faust let his fingers travel down Ignas’s neck to his chest. “But this spot would be quite uncomfortable for me, would it not?”
Ignas groaned and grasped Faust’s hand. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
Faust loved the way Ignas held himself above him with one hand. Ignas was strong—strong enough to manhandle him anywhere in this room. “You love it, though.”
“I do,” Ignas said. “Will the desk be a better spot?”
Faust’s stomach coiled with heat. He didn’t think he would like the idea, but Ignas drew out a different side of himself. The thought of being naughty in a place meant for work was thrilling. He spent most of his time in studies like this one. If he had a bit of fun with Ignas here, he would have some interesting thoughts the next time he entered his study in the castle. Faust glanced at Ignas’s lips. “Kiss me.”
Ignas stole Faust’s lips in a searing kiss.
Faust grunted and brushed his hands up Ignas’s chest to grip at his shoulders and toy with the tips of Ignas’s hair.
Ignas groaned into the kiss and used one hand to grab Faust’s lower back, pushing their bodies together.
Faust jumped in his hold, a soft noise escaping him. By Alimphis, he wanted more.
The door swung open.
Faust gasped and tipped his head back, his ears flaring red. “I-It is not what it looks like.”
Rene’s eyebrow shot up as he brought a sky stone out.
Faust rolled Ignas on his back, calling on his own sky stone. Wind clashed with wind and sent a burst of air through the room. He remained still, swallowing slowly. He could feel Ignas’s hard-on with the way he straddled the man’s hips.
“Lord Arcus,” Rene said.
Faust stumbled to his feet, hoping his tunic covered his pants enough. “I order you not to harm him.”
Rene grabbed the stone from the air with a sneer. “Do not lie then.”
Faust scowled and smoothed his clothes out, desperately willing his desire away. “I found new information,” he redirected and offered a hand to Ignas.
Ignas laughed and stood beside Faust with a smug glance at Rene.
“What did you find?” Rene ground out.
Faust passed Rene the scrolls. “We need to find Linos, the Deity of Azure.”
Rene’s eyes widened, and he scanned over the scrolls. “This is the confirmation we’ve needed. I came across some old texts in the castle concerning Linos, but the king and I had to hide them. Emoris and Lathil were searching for Linos, but far more secretly. We didn’t have any proof about who or what Linos was, and King Konrad wanted me to find out.”
“You did not mention that before,” Faust said.
“As I said, there are things you will be told later, like now.” Rene examined the scroll. “King Konrad will be pleased with this find.”
Faust bounced on the heels of his boots, ridiculously happy he was useful to his brother. “We must find Linos first then. Perhaps Linos can help us.”
“We will, but it appears we’ve been invited to a celebration in town first.” Rene smiled and grabbed Faust’s wrist, pulling him away from Ignas. “Your duty to your people awaits.”
“It is not a ball, is it?” Faust asked.
“It’s an introduction of Lord Arcus,” Rene said. “You have many people to meet.”
Faust hung his head in defeat.
Chapter Seventeen
Faust sat regally on his makeshift wooden throne, despite his growing annoyance. He’d met person after person until his face hurt from smiling.
Rene patted Faust’s shoulder. “One more.”
Faust did his best to control his expression, but he was certain it didn’t work from the scowl on Rene’s face.
Earl bowed. “Why don’t we walk instead?”
Faust stood with a cheeky smile. “I would prefer that. I wanted to speak with you, Sir Earl.”
“Ignas said I should come save you,” the guild master admitted.
“You act as if I’ve kept him prisoner.” Rene adjusted his monocle. “I must continue documenting, Lord Lowe, but I expect you to be careful.”
Faust nodded and joined Earl. He studied the guild master. Earl’s skin was far lighter than Ignas’s, and his dark brown hair was much longer but well-kept. At first glance, he wouldn’t have known he was the renowned merchant of Windilum with the way Earl dressed in Alios fashion, but his aura gave him away to Faust. The guild master held the same red auras Ignas and Zara held. It wasn’t an aura he was used to seeing in Alios. “To what do I owe the honor of this visit? You are quite far from your normal routes.”
“Business is changing,” Earl said. “I was to meet with King Konrad, but upon my arrival, I was turned away by His Excellency Emoris. It appears it did not sit well with him that the king was attempting to extend an olive branch for the people. We were to discuss opening trade in Limorous, but His Excellency Emoris would not hear of the matter.”
Faust pursed his lips. Konrad knew Emoris didn’t like anyone from Windilum and that was the whole reason they were barred from Limorous.
“I did not waste my trip,” Earl admitted. “I took up talks with Lady Chloe instead. She was more than happy to relay my interest in your king’s offer.”
Faust paused in thought. This was a rare opportunity. He would continue his brother’s plan any way he could. Gathering the support of the Guild of Smithery was important. They were in control of the Volliare advancements and were the inventors of the smaller fighter airships called Volar. Having more Volar on hand would help combat the Volant, at least until they found Linos. “I can provide you with the necessary decrees needed once I hear your plans,” Faust offered.
“Before we enter those talks, I must tell you that the Guild of Masters is also engaging us.”
Faust motioned for Earl to continue.
“Their requirements will take years to enact,” Earl said. “But it is where the guilds should head. As for now, I am open to trade agreements, but sweeping change will not work in my kingdom unless the leadership changes. Both dukes must agree, and as it stands, they agree on little.”