crowding close again. They could return to Yasir’s ship, maybe sail somewhere far away. On board, he’d have time to try and understand what these feelings for Vasili meant, if they meant anything at all. Or maybe he’d just get him back to the ship to hear him sigh in Niko’s ear again, to feel his soft mouth yield, his fingers dance down Nikolas’s cock.
Roksana’s approach interrupted his unruly thoughts. “Ah, apologies Niko,” Roksana beamed, falling into step. “There’s one bullheaded male in every family. In fact, I’m sure we have more than one.” She glanced at Vasili and watched him take an offered wine glass from a passing server. The flower in his hair softened his Caville iciness, and even Roksana couldn’t fail to notice how at ease he appeared.
“He likes Seran,” Roksana said.
“Do you think so?”
“I’ve known him since he was a boy. He rarely left the palace. He wrote me occasionally.”
“He did?” That seemed unlike Vasili. Whatever would he put in a letter? Demands and denials?
Roksana’s grin hinted at some internal joke. “You don’t know him very well, do you?”
Niko bristled a little. He thought he was beginning to know Vasili, but every time he got a grasp on the man, he slipped through his fingers. Like now. Writing letters to Yazdans?
“He’s always been keen to unite our two ancient families. He saw what the flame was doing to Talos and knew the Cavilles needed allies. Of course, this was before the war, before his… absence.”
The way her tone dropped suggested she knew a great deal about Vasili and his eight-year absence.
“Our families were allies, long ago. The Yazdans ruled the south and the Cavilles the north, and the land prospered.” She must have seen the disbelief on Niko’s face and chuckled. “It’s hard to believe, especially after one of your uncles just tried to stab the prince. I’ve tried smoothing the way over the years, but I’m at sea more than on land, and family politics is not where I’m most comfortable. Put a blade in my hand and point me at a ship to plunder, and I’m invested, but during these events, among family, I don’t have the smooth-talking skills that Vasili clearly does.”
The prince had been drawn into a conversation with two guests. How exactly, Niko had missed, but he seemed quick to smile. The smiles weren’t all fake either. With the flower in his hair, the flutter of his hand, and the way the colored lights warmed his face, he could almost be a very different person to the one who had ordered Niko whipped. But that was half the problem with Vasili. He changed his behavior to suit the moment. Would Niko ever discover who he really was inside? He’d surely have to get him away from the flame, from the palace, from everything he knew for that to happen. And such a thing was unlikely.
Roksana snatched up some wine and handed a glass to Niko. “He likes you.”
“You’re not the first to tell me that, and I still don’t believe it.”
“He wrote me last year, told me about the Yazdan living in Loreen. Told me how you were Leila’s son. He said you’re a foolish brute, too honest for court and too righteous for Loreen.”
Niko laughed over the shock of hearing Vasili had mentioned him.
Vasili glanced over his shoulder. His smile stayed. Even grew a little, and it was like being back at the waterfall again, with the prince knowing exactly how he looked and exactly how Nikolas would drop to his knees to hear him whisper orders in his ear.
“There’s a great deal he doesn’t say with words. You just have to look closely for it.”
“Hm.”
“You like him?” she asked.
“No.” He slowly shook his head. “Like isn’t… that’s not it.”
Roksana chuckled. “Yazdans are brilliant defenders. We’ll stand up for what’s right until our dying breaths, but we’re absolutely shit at anything personal.” She thumped him on the shoulder hard enough to make it ache. “Welcome to the family, nephew.”
Niko’s sense of warmth and belonging grew. He brushed the ring on his finger and lifted it for Roksana to see. “The shah gave me this. I’m not certain I deserve it…” Her smile had wilted some, and he trailed off, fearing he’d have to return it.
“Don’t let Alissand see you with that.”
“Why?”
She winced. “Just… keep it hidden.”
“If I shouldn’t have it, take it back.” He began to pull the ring free.
“No, keep it on. He gave it to you. It’s yours