Requiem for a King [MxM]

Mischief?

Jaredeth stared out the single window of his office and watched Rynn guide Jaliah through the garden. The bushes were awashed in the grey-blue of dusk, meaning it was almost her bed time. Rynn often took Jaliah out in the late evening to wear her out so she wouldn't fuss when it was time to sleep.

What he'd give to be out there with his daughter now. But there were too many things that needed his attention. Like getting his country ready for impending disaster. So he turned from the window to Lady Barclay, who stirred sugar into a cup of coffee.

"So, they're still not budging," he said.

Lady Barclay crossed one leg over the next. "I don't know what else we can do. The majority of the people don't want to evacuate. They've suggested we make use of the catacombs and wait out the calamity."

Jaredeth sat on the edge of his desk and drummed his fingers on the wood. For three days he'd been fighting with these business owners, trying to reason with them. Tandridge had agreed to take in some temporary refugees, but if things kept going the way they were, that service may not be necessary. While the evacuations weren't mandatory, he didn't want to leave anyone at the mercy of the bone dragon. Most of the business owners lived above their shops, and they were nearest to the sea, which put them in the most vulnerable position.

According to Quintus, staying in the city was ill-advised. One whiff of those spores could infect someone with the blight. They have to shutter down every home and business and stay indoors until it either loses interest and leaves, or is dealt with. If the worst happened, they'd be forced into the lower passages of the castle.

"In a way, I can understand them. Some of them have businesses that have been in their family for generations. It's difficult to just pack up and leave all that behind."

He stood and rounded his desk to sit in his chair. "Quintus told me necromancy can hold off the spores, and we have three necromancers in Avaly. Perhaps there's a way we can ward the capital and hold out until the bone dragon leaves or Quintus' friend arrives to help us. The wind chimes Cantrelle erected in Hutton seemed to work. A little."

"Actually." Lady Barclay Stirred a spoonful of sugar into her tea. "You have four necromancers."

Jaredeth arched a brow. "Are you... the fourth?"

"No, but you have met her already. I'm not sure how strong her necromancy is, but I'll ask for her assistance so long as you can ensure her safety."

"You have my word," Jaredeth promised.

Lady Barclay nodded. "Then I'll bring her to the next Council meeting. So far, we have ten boats ready. That's only enough to carry five hundred people. But we don't even have five hundred people signed up for evacuation. At this point, I think we're better off preparing to hunker down than to leave."

"I have Evaline working with the staff to take stock of the emergency stores. I'd estimate we have enough goods to keep us going for two weeks, more if we gather what's available in the city and outer villages."

"Any word from Cantrelle?"

"The cloud has moved closer, but it's higher in the sky, as predicted. Mother will work with her to get everyone in the outer villages to the capital." Jaredeth rubbed the back of his neck. A tingling sensation had sat there since the middle of the day, and it would surely be a full-blown headache later.

Lady Barclay set her empty cup down. "This friend of yours. Quintus, I mean. Are you sure we can trust him? I know he saved your life, but your... infatuation with him may be clouding your judgment."

"All the Council Quintus has given me has been sound so far. He hasn't given me a reason not to trust him yet." Jaredeth frowned. Where was this coming from? He thought Lady Barclay was quite fond of Quintus. Or perhaps with the disaster looming on their doorstep, paranoia was sinking in.

"Did you know Avaly's history has given it a bad reputation amongst necromancers? They call it the forbidden city. I'm sure it would bring much glee to their ilk to see it fall."

Jaredeth shrugged. "Quintus has told me all of this himself. And who knows? Perhaps that reputation will change in the near future."

"Well then, I'll trust your judgment, your majesty. If there's nothing left for us to discuss. I will be taking my leave." Lady Barclay stood. "Enjoy the rest of your night."

"You as well." Jaredeth showed her to the door and found Quintus standing on the other side when he pulled it open.

Quintus smiled and stepped aside for Lady Barclay to leave, and they exchanged polite nods. Quintus stepped inside, dumped himself on the couch, and helped himself to a cup of coffee, in true Quintus fashion.

They hadn't seen much of each other in the past three days, mostly because Jaredeth was busy dealing with the impending calamity and Quintus was doing reconnaissance on the Cathedral—along with whatever he got up to during the day and night.

"I was just coming to look for you." He crossed to his desk, where two long wooden boxes leaned against one side. He'd had to hold back his grin of excitement when Havers brought them in earlier. He picked up the heavier of the two and held it out.

Quintus looked down at the box, then up at Jaredeth. "A gift?" He lifted the lid, set it aside and pulled out the square of black velvet. It unfolded into a coat, in the style Jaredeth had promised. The rich black velvet was so dark it seemed to absorb all the light that touched it.

"I promised you a coat." Jaredeth said. "I, uh, I actually got you two. I figured you wouldn't want to be fighting netherborne in something so nice. The second one is in a similar style, but it's stained leather."

"So you did." Quintus stared down at the coat, a strange look in his eyes. One that made Jaredeth's heart sink.

"Do you not like it? I can have the tailors make something else if—"

Quintus shook his head. "It's a nice coat. Thanks."

"The barrel of ale is still pending, I'm afraid," Jaredeth said with a nervous laugh. "Would you like to try it on?"

"Sure." Quintus stood and shrugged the coat on. It hugged his broad shoulders and tapered into his waist. The dark fabric complimented his golden skin and made his eyes and hair look even darker. He was beautiful.

Jaredeth adjusted the collar, so it laid flat and stepped back to assess. He owed the castle tailor a raise. "It fits you very well."

"A little too well, considering I didn't do any fittings," Quintus said, examining his reflection in a cloche.

"Well, I may or may not have asked an attendant to steal an article of clothing from your room. I wanted it to be a surprise. Well, semi surprise, I suppose." He rocked back on his heels. "Was there any particular reason you came to see me?"

Quintus took off the coat. "I was going out and wanted to know if you'd join me."

"Like... a date?" Jaredeth almost didn't get the words out. Sure, he and Quintus were still intimate, but not... romantic.

Quintus made a face. "Fuck no. A date? Do I look like the romantic type? We're going to cause trouble, my specialty."

"Oh, uh..." Jaredeth's face burned. "I have a few more correspondences to draft and I have an early day tomorrow, so if I don't get enough sleep, I'm not going to have my wits about me." And what would it look like? The King of Avaly, out under the cover of night, causing mischief. His ancestors would writhe in their graves.

"Alright." He packed the coat down into the box. "Well, if you change your mind, I'll be by the stables." He gave Jaredeth one last nod and left him alone in the office.

Jaredeth sighed and stared after him for a moment, then looked at the pile of documents on his desk. Perhaps, this time, work could wait.