“Slavery is prohibited, even by Emoris’s standards, last I checked,” Faust said. Servants suffered under oppressive nobles. It was something Konrad worked hard to change.
“That isn’t stopping anyone,” Ignas scowled. “The farther from the capital, the more the laws are bent. Just like here. It’s likely this town is the last stop because Akarvine wanted it that way. It’s easy to keep people isolated when there is no help for miles.”
Faust pursed his lips and looked away. He had realized that. There was little order among the lords—only the guilds ran with the laws, but even then, the guilds performed illegal acts on the side. It was the royal family that oversaw these things, but with Emoris confining them to the capital and with Konrad forcing their family into hiding, nothing was getting fixed.
Ignas caressed Faust’s face. “I do not blame you.”
“It is still my responsibility.” Faust kissed Ignas’s palm. “I will pass through Akarvine on my way to Haven. I shall see to this problem and fix it.”
“It won’t be that easy,” Ignas said. “We were lucky because Earl was here. Going there will not sit well with your historian, either. It’s far too dangerous. It was much kinder when Lord Forney ruled, but he was removed years ago.”
“I have not seen Lord Forney since then. My brother always liked Lord Forney. He followed Konrad’s orders over Emoris’s. If my people continue to be suppressed, they will begin to hate my family, and their hatred could lead to our deaths. I must fix this. I will not leave my people to suffer under a corrupt lord. Lord Heath must be dealt with.” Konrad would just have to forgive him for stirring up more trouble.
Ignas’s lips twitched into a small grin. “You will be a kind king one day.”
“I am not meant to be king.”
“You carry yourself like one.”
Faust shook his head. “I do not wish for Konrad’s death in order for me to ascend. I am to remain a secret as long as possible.”
“I do not either. I will not tell anyone.” Ignas tossed the papers aside and lounged next to Faust, tracing his fingers down Faust’s spine.
Faust shivered. “Was there more?”
Ignas dropped his arm over Faust’s waist and pulled him into his arms. He buried his face in Faust’s neck and kissed sweet kisses there.
Faust arched his neck back with a small sound. “Ignas.”
Ignas grinned against Faust’s skin. “Earl brought other unpleasant news. The leader of the Guild of Masters is being held captive in Akarvine.”
Faust’s eyes widened. “Lord Clare is there?”
“Earl’s scout confirmed it,” Ignas said. “But no one knows what Lord Clare currently looks like—Lord Heath was only boasting about holding him captive.”
Faust ran his fingertips over the scratch marks on Ignas’s shoulders in thought. “I have seen Lord Clare, but only from afar. I was also much younger.”
“We’ll just have to hope he has not changed too much then,” Ignas suggested with a sound of approval. “Keep doing that, and I’ll want you to make more scratches.”
Faust laughed and withdrew his hand. “I have many things to ask Lord Clare. His extraction will be the top priority. I do not wish for my brother’s trip to be turbulent. If Lord Clare is hurt, we could very well start a war with the Kingdom of Roltan.”
“We shall do our best,” Ignas promised.
Faust smiled. “Did Sir Earl mention how Lord Clare is being held captive?”
“Some of the guild’s merchants were enslaved and requested his help, but upon his arrival, Lord Clare was forced to enter a tournament to save them. Lord Heath is using contracts to keep people.”
“And if they break them, they become criminals, and he still gets them.” Faust would remove Lord Heath at any cost. How despicable. “We shall beat Lord Heath at his own game.” He smoothed his fingers along Ignas’s face. “Will you win for me?”
Ignas’s eyes flared with fire. “Anything for you.”
“I will tell Rene to up the coin we give you.”
Ignas kissed Faust’s shoulder. “I’ll take another form of payment instead.”
“I think not. I give myself to you willingly.”
Ignas lifted his head, his eyes clouded with lust. “All right then, we have a deal. We should get ready to leave.”
Faust waited for Ignas to move, but Ignas only held him closer. “Ignas.”
“Yes, gorgeous?”
“I need you to move so I can get ready.”
Ignas feigned a pout.
“It will take us two weeks to get to Akarvine from here,” Faust said. “If we wait much longer, Rene will come get me.”
Ignas groaned and rolled away.
Faust sat up and gazed around the room. It was neat. He glanced at Ignas, who strutted to his clothes. Faust admired Ignas’s muscular physique with want pooling in his stomach. He’d learned quite a lot about himself last night. “Did you clean up?”
“No, Annette arrived with the papers and cleaned things up,” Ignas said and slipped into his tunic.
“Annette?” Faust blinked. “Not Zara?”
Ignas turned back with a wink. “Annette is my scout, just as Earl has one. Zara would never do anything like that for me. She’d direct me to use my hands and feet.”
Faust laughed. He wanted to see her say it, too.
Ignas finished dressing and brought Faust’s clothes over. “She grabbed fresh clothes for you, too.”
Faust ogled Ignas’s neck, where a few of his marks still showed. He smiled. “I must thank her then.”
Ignas shook his head. “We won’t see her again unless something is wrong.”
Faust nodded and moved the blankets back. He winced as he slid his legs over the side of the bed. He grabbed his tunic first and slipped it on. The rest was easy, except when it came to his pants. He tested his weight on one leg and wobbled but stood. Faust called upon his magic and flicked his hand to the side. Ignas was forced to turn around by wind.
Ignas whistled with what sounded like a cheeky smile. “You can work them at a distance.”
“I can command any stone in range,” Faust corrected.
“And what range is that?”
Faust sat back on the bed to slide his boots on. “That will remain a secret,” he stated and released Ignas from his wind hold.
Ignas moved closer.
Faust looked up and paused.
“Let me help you with your hair.”
Faust shrugged and let the mercenary take up residence behind him on the bed. He was nestled between Ignas’s well-shaped thighs as Ignas smoothed his hair out and tied it back. It felt nice.
“I have a present for you.” Ignas presented an elaborate hairpin forward for Faust to see. It was circular with wings underneath it and held the brightest of gems among the intricate design.
“When did you get this?” Faust asked, running his fingers over the fine gold. It was beautiful.
“I have my ways.”
Faust gave Ignas a chaste kiss. “Thank you. Will you arrange it?”
“With pleasure.”
Faust sat still as his bangs were pulled to one side and pinned back. The hanging jewels sat in front of his ear but were far from heavy nor a distraction. “Now, I need my glasses—”