Lacuna - N.R. Walker Page 0,58

he knew it was fabricated, but he still liked it.

He put his hand to Crow’s back, just a breath of a touch. “I’m fine, Crow,” he whispered.

Crow seemed to come to his senses or wake up. He shook his head, then groaned, his shoulders relaxing. “Dammit, Soko.”

“What were you doing?” he asked.

“I was . . .” Crow sheathed the dagger back in his boot. “I was . . . meditating.”

“Sounded like snoring to me,” Kohaku said, and Soko laughed.

Now it was Tancho’s turn to raise his hackles. “You’ll both do well to remember to whom you speak.” He leaned in closer to Crow, protective of him now, their bodies almost touching. Tancho could feel the heat of his body. Crow’s smell filled his head, boosting his need to protect him. How dare they make fun of him. “What brings you to my quarters?” he snapped.

Kohaku bowed his head. “My king. To give the message that one of the guards has returned with two of the items Maghdlm requested.”

“There are two to go,” Soko added, giving Crow a curious look. Tancho had to remind himself they were close, clan-brothers even, and that Soko’s main concern was for his king. “Crow,” Soko said gently. “Is there anything I can get for you?”

Crow only seemed to notice then just how close he and Tancho were standing. One of Crow’s feet was in between Tancho’s. And yet, for how close they were, Crow never moved. “I’m fine. You startled me from sleep, that’s all.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “I should eat something.”

“There is an array of foods on your table, Tancho,” Asagi said with a bow of his head. “If anything else is preferred, I can have it arranged.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Tancho said. “Though a hot bath would be most appreciated.”

Asagi snapped his fingers and two attendants appeared out of nowhere, then disappeared into his private bathroom to prepare the bath.

Soko pulled on Kohaku’s arm. “We’ll take our leave. You two can . . . eat something. Take a hot bath. Rest, on the . . .” He waved to the bed. “Very big bed. We won’t interrupt again until all the items on Maghdlm’s list are here.”

Crow growled at him but they were already gone, then Asagi followed them out the door with another bow of his head. They were alone again, and Tancho’s blood thrilled at the realisation.

Tancho made himself take a step back. “Let’s get you fed.” He led Crow back to the table and the trays of food and pitchers of water and nectars. It had been a long, eventful morning, and Tancho doubted Crow had slept much the night before. He needed to eat.

Tancho fixed him a plate of bread, sliced meats, cheeses, and fruit pastes, and Crow took it gratefully. They ate in silence for a while, Tancho realising he was hungrier than he’d first thought.

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” Crow said eventually.

“It’s fine,” Tancho replied with a smile. “You were clearly tired.”

“Or your meditation skills are too strong. That silver ball thing you did to me. I could almost feel it. It turned my mind off like an extinguished oil lamp.” Crow took a sip from his cup. “I’ll have to remember that technique if Soko wants to tell me all about his conquests.”

Tancho smiled at that. “Does he have many?”

Crow made a face. “I’d be remiss to talk about him while he’s not here to defend himself, but he has a certain charm that ladies take a shine to.”

Tancho took a slice of pear and bit into it. He was aiming for nonchalant but he doubted he managed it. “And you? Do the ladies shine to your charms as well?”

Crow stared at the pear between Tancho’s lips, the juice that escaped and how Tancho’s tongue chased it. His eyes darkened and his voice rasped. “Not the ladies, no.”

Tancho’s gaze cut to his. “Have you left a trail of men behind in Northlands?” He couldn’t keep the ice from his tone. “Or perhaps one, in particular, you yearn to return to?” Tancho didn’t know which was worse.

“Neither,” Crow replied. “I’ve had . . . enough to know what I like.” Then his eyes flashed with daring. “And what about you? I thought you and Karasu . . .”

Tancho made a face. “She is a sister to me.”

“When I alluded to that before, you never corrected me.”

“Perhaps I wanted you to think that.”

“To tease me?”

“To have you keep your distance.”

“And how’s that working out?”

Had