Aris rubbed the back of his neck. He stacked the pillows behind Faust but continued to avoid eye contact.
Faust rested back. “Thank you, Aris.”
Mika took the empty glasses from Faust and placed them on the table.
Faust regarded Aris, keeping his gaze level with Aris’s eyes. “Mika tells me you mean to take us to Shar. You are certain Nik is safe?”
“He’s safe,” Aris said. “I know Shar is, too. Don’t worry too much, I will protect you.”
“If only you realized the weight of danger that carries,” Mika interjected. “King Konrad will expect great things of you—he raised Faust. Taught him to practically be his double. Without King Konrad around, King Faust is expected to fulfill that void and set off the revolution.”
“I will do everything to protect my king,” Aris swore, his eyes on Faust. “You are worthy to lead the people, and I will make sure you succeed.”
Faust’s chest swelled with uncertainty. Aris believed in him so earnestly. He needed to meet Aris’s expectations, but he could never be Konrad. His brother was a master of war games and an expert tactician. Faust turned to Mika. “Did you know Konrad’s plan?” Faust asked, his eyes narrowed.
“Only that my sworn duty was to protect and aid you, Your Majesty.”
Faust leaned back, thinking. Konrad predicted he would need Mika. His brother might have foreseen something with Nik, too. Faust had to keep moving. “Commander Frei,” he began and slid his attention to the man. “Please inform the merchants I wish to travel as Lord Arcus. I must somehow figure out how to oust Their Excellencies, but I will need more allies. The Kingdoms of Windilum and Roltan must join us, or we will not stand a chance. Konrad started this plan, he must have been certain we would win.”
“The Kingdom of Windilum will be tricky,” Mika commented.
“If I can find Ignas, it should shed more light on the ruling party,” Faust said. “Duke Easton made a deal, but his daughter was convinced that he would not reign for long. It is possible Duke Baldwin encountered Commandant Vasil while Duke Easton has not.”
Mika kneeled to Faust. His aura grew even brighter, but now, light concentrated at Mika’s shoulders. “As you wish, Your Majesty. I will follow you anywhere and do everything in my power to ensure your protection as King Konrad commanded. I am here for you.”
Faust smiled. Mika was always so proper. Faust didn’t know what he’d do without him. “You have my gratitude, Commander Frei.” Faust raised his gaze to Aris next.
Aris also kneeled. “I will follow you anywhere, Faust.”
“Just Faust?”
“I mean—my king,” Aris said with a tint of red on his cheeks.
“You will have to address me as Lord Arcus while we travel. Our first objective is to find His Eminence Linos, the Deity of Azure. He is among us somewhere, and we need him if we plan on surviving.”
Aris scrutinized Faust, his gaze vast, yet focused. “Are you certain he’ll show himself to you?”
Mika raised his head in question.
Faust bit his lip. “I can only hope he will. I have hurt many people and my family by His Excellency Lathil’s orders. Lord Clare mentioned a High King, and some records say whoever finds His Eminence ascends. If I am unworthy, I wish to help His Eminence find the right High King. We need him. Lord Clare would have more answers than I, but he is in Roltan, stuck in the castle last I knew.”
Aris studied Faust for a long moment, but a smile worked its way onto his lips. “I will help you. I believe you to be worthy, my king.”
Faust’s chest fluttered with heat, his magic swirling with happiness as it danced with Aris’s. The natural magic joined in, too, coiling in a playful pass. He could make this work. “Thank you.”
Aris grinned, and Mika bowed his head once more.
Faust cleared his throat. “So, first, I need some clothes.”
“Why can’t you stay like this? You’re beautiful,” Aris said.
“Even with my scars?”
“Scars are normal. You are a warrior. They show me your strength. You didn’t just roll over for the green deities.” Aris beamed.
Faust beckoned Aris closer, a smile curling on his lips. Aris didn’t see him as weak. He touched Aris’s face, pulled him in close, and captured his lips in a chaste kiss. Faust’s magic soared at the brief contact, and he breathed in Aris’s small gasp. He pulled away, tugging at Aris’s magic, elated when Aris did the same to his. “You cannot handle me, yet.”
Aris covered his mouth with one hand, but there was no mistaking the grin Aris hid behind his hand with the way his eyes sparkled.
“Now we are even for the medicine kiss.” Faust smoothed out Aris’s tunic with a wide smile.
Aris blew out a shaky breath, leaning into Faust’s touch.
“Enough flirting, you two,” Mika said.
Faust flashed Mika a boyish grin. “Still interrupting me, I see.”
Mika’s responding laugh was bright and hearty. “For now, you need rest. Then we shall see, Your Majesty.”
“Sounds promising, Commander,” Faust said.
Mika shook his head. “I will inform the Guild of Artisans merchants downstairs of our next move. They will send word along ahead of us, I’m sure. They’ve been crafting an entire wardrobe for your journey. Rations have been prepared, and horses are ready.”
“You have been hard at work,” Faust said.
“It is my sworn duty,” Mika said. “I’ll go check in with the merchants, but I’ll be back. Don’t try and get involved. I do have to sleep in here when I return.”
“Commander,” Faust exclaimed.
Mika broke into a chuckle and wandered to the door. “We’ll leave tomorrow. Rest and leave the preparations to me, Your Majesty. Protect him well, Aris,” he said and left the two in peace.
Faust shook his head. He turned to Aris, who was beet red. “I will not jump you.”
Aris snapped his attention to the king. “I—didn’t—wasn’t thinking . . .”
Faust found Aris to be far too delightful. “Will you come sit with me at least?”
Aris nodded, obviously embarrassed since he took a seat on the edge of the bed.
Faust bit back a frown. He would have preferred Aris much closer like before, but he supposed that crossed the line. He understood how Ignas felt around him now. Faust desired to have Aris close at all times.
“Can I ask a question?” Aris inquired, breaking the silence.
“Ask away.”
“Do those merchants know you are the king? The commander didn’t call you the king when we arrived. I wasn’t aware you were Lord Arcus, and Mika wouldn’t explain.” Aris stared at the door. “He got pretty mad and said I had to ask later.”
“Well,” Faust leaned back, “it depends on who is downstairs. The Guild of Artisans serves my brother, Konrad, and he made it a rule for the guild some months ago that Lord Arcus was to be protected as if he were a royal. So, the name Lord Arcus sparks that reaction. Only people that have met me in person know who I am.”
“There is quite a bit of respect for Lord Arcus,” Aris said. “How did you do things I’ve heard about? No one in the castle was friendly to you. Surely they were all after you.”