name was proof enough of it.”
Eridan swallowed the sudden tightness in his throat. “So you didn’t do it because of the Order?”
Castien let out a humorless laugh. “The Order was the last thing I thought about when I did it. I was…” He met Eridan’s eyes. “For years, without your knowledge, I was preparing you to claim your birthright. But I was the one not prepared to let you go when the time came.” A muscle twitched in his jaw. “I know I should not have done it, but I’m not perfect, Eridan. And fear was the one emotion I had never experienced until I realized you would stop being my apprentice—that you would stop being mine. I was irrational. Rash.”
Eridan blinked a few times, feeling stunned. He hadn’t even thought Castien could feel fear, much less fear over losing him—and admit it.
“All right,” Eridan said, clearing his throat. “You’re forgiven for that. But if you mess with my memories again, I…” He paused, trying to think of a suitable threat. “I’ll never forgive you again,” he finished lamely.
To his surprise, Castien seemed to take the threat seriously. He simply nodded.
Eridan looked at him, warmth filling his insides as it hit him anew that Castien really had feelings for him. That Castien needed him, cared for him deeply, and wanted him around, always.
Eridan smiled helplessly. “Admit it: you totally checked your mind for any outside influence when you first noticed those icky emotions.”
Castien averted his gaze.
“You did!” Eridan laughed, slinging his arms around his neck and pressing his mouth against Castien’s. “You’re so ridiculous, Master. Only you would think having feelings isn’t normal.”
Castien kissed back for a moment before pulling back to look Eridan in the eyes. “So will you come home with me?”
Eridan stared at him. “You were actually serious about it?”
“Of course.” Castien’s expression was somewhat uncomfortable. “The castle is too quiet without you. I don’t… I suppose I have become used to your chattering over the years.”
Eridan cocked his head to the side and smirked teasingly. “Are you saying you missed me terribly, Master?”
Castien’s expression became rather pinched. But the denial Eridan had half expected didn’t come.
“Yes,” Castien said tersely. “I missed you terribly. Are you happy now, you insolent brat?”
Eridan’s smirk softened into a smile. So maybe Castien could learn to communicate his feelings.
Leaning in, he gave him a chaste kiss as a reward, which Castien immediately turned into a hard, greedy one, all tongue and want.
Sighing in pleasure, Eridan returned the kiss happily for a while.
When they finally parted, he pushed Castien onto his back and stretched on top of him, relishing the way their bodies fit together, their minds as entwined as their limbs. Putting his head on Castien’s chest, he breathed in his familiar scent, feeling achingly, toe-curlingly happy.
He murmured, “Can I even be a member of the Order again when I’m such a public figure?”
Castien made a thoughtful sound, running his fingers through Eridan’s hair. “There is no precedent for a member of a royal family being a member of the Order, but there is no rule against it: neither in the Order rules nor in the Calluvian laws. It will most likely cause a scandal, but your reputation is not exactly good right now as it is.”
Eridan scrunched up his nose and chuckled. “Yeah, let’s make a bad situation worse. I have nothing to lose, I guess.”
“No,” Castien said. “Your return to the Order can be spun in a positive light. We have many media outlets under our control. Pushing the narrative we want will not be difficult. You will be protected from public scorn.”
Eridan scoffed at Castien’s unashamedly corrupt ways, but he couldn’t erase the warm feeling that curled in his stomach. He had missed this: this feeling of absolute security and trust. He trusted that his Master would protect him, always, by any means necessary. No matter how much he and Warrehn had grown close, he hadn’t felt a fraction of such trust and safety in months.
Warrehn.
“I can’t abandon my brother,” Eridan said, lifting his head.
Castien heaved a sigh. “You would hardly abandon him, Eridan. You can get from Hronthar to this palace in less than an hour.”
“I guess,” Eridan said, frowning. “It still doesn’t feel right. He doesn’t have anyone but me, and this palace still isn’t home for him. Dalatteya and her son hate him.” He narrowed his eyes at Castien. “Speaking of which, can’t you make her like Warrehn, too? Like you did with her attitude