“And you?”
“What about me?”
“Are you moving to the country?”
Eric pinched the bridge of his nose. “Of course not. Ixthan. Please. Did you place a spell on this necklace just so you could talk to me whenever you so wished? This issuchan extravagant use of magic, you just got your power back.”
“Is it not reasonable to keep a track of what you are up to when I own you?” Even through the spell, there was a sharp little edge to Ix’s voice.
Eric felt his ears go hot. Thank both the gods and the hells that Ned Williams had left the room. “Ix!”
“Well?” demanded Ix.
Eric had never heard a more ridiculous thing in his life. And yet, something about the idea warmed him. That Eric affected Ix enough that he would want to be able to speak to him at any time. That it had been only half a day since Eric had spoken to him and yet Ix was bothered enough that he had to speak to Ericright now. That Eric was going to go home to him after this and yet Ix couldn’t wait that long.
“You’re being entirely unreasonable, Your Highness,” said Eric, and he was unable to keep the fondness out of his voice. “But I suppose I will indulge you.”
“Will you.” Ix’s voice was a growl, a promise – or a threat.
“Whatever you want, Your Highness.” Eric dropped his voice low, let himself be sincere for a moment. It took Ix by surprise,if his silence was any indication. Eric let himself smile, since Ix couldn’t see it. “I’ll be done soon, Ix. And then I’ll head home.”
“Home.”
Eric had already stopped thinking of the city house as home for a while, but it was still the first time he had said that out loud. Until now, the New Palace wing held Ix’s rooms, where he was a guest. He swallowed. “Yes?”
A gruff sound came through the amber, suspiciously like Ixthan clearing his throat. “Yes.”
“All right then. I’ll see you at home.”
They would need to have a conversation at some point about appropriate use of the necklace spell. He had thought it only held protective charms and a tracking spell so Ix could find him in an emergency. What else was woven into this thing? And could only Ix activate it, or could Eric also use it to contact Ix?
The fact that Ix had not created a version to be sold at the markets probably meant it used obscene and unsustainable amounts of magic that he was just lavishing on being able to hear Eric’s voice, which Eric couldn’t dwell on right now or he would implode. But for now, Eric watched the glow of the stone fade until it was a regular necklace again, and tucked it back inside his shirt, where the weight of the pendant thumped reassuringly against his heart.
After that, he went to find Ned. “I feel we accomplished a lot today, thank you.”
“No, thank you, milord, this is as efficient as I’ve seen matters run after an estate passes hands, if you don’t mind me saying so,” said Ned.
“Wonderful, I’ll take my leave then.” Eric made to put his coat back on. Ix was holding his first party after recovering his powers and Petra had said she’d be there, never mind that Eric thought he should rest another couple more days before resuming his usual hedonism.
“One last thing. A package just arrived for you,” said Ned, beckoning him to sit back down.
It turned out to be less of a package and more of a trunk. Plain but well made, with no obvious markings or crest or maker’s stamp visible when Eric circled it. With the domed lid, it stood about knee high, and was secured with a single padlock which appeared new and still had the key inserted into the lock. “And it didn’t come with a card?”
“Yes, but only with your name on.” Ned showed him a piece of generic cream card stock, and neat handwriting like that of an administrative clerk’s that just said ‘Lord Marrawshire’.
“If I open this and it’s full of some… I don’t know, contraband or explosives or forbidden demonic artifacts, I want you to note that Lord Marrawshire could mean my father, Ned. This thing didn’t specify me by name,” said Eric, only half joking as he flicked open the metal clasps.
“Noted, milord,” said Ned cheerfully. Although, he did take a step back.
Eric opened the lid carefully. His eyebrows raised of their own accord; the trunk was lined with pure silk, extending as the lid opened to reveal multiple shelves. The contents were covered in another swathe of silk.
“Demonic artifacts, milord?” asked Ned mildly after Eric just looked at it all for a moment.
“No, probably not.” Eric sighed. Even though there was no note, the silk was a rich forest green. Ix’s favorite. He reached out and whipped the coverings off. His sword collection. Eric swallowed. He’d thought he wouldn’t see these again. They were all here, apart from the two that he’d inherited from his father. Arranged in the order he’d had them displayed at home too and, infuriatingly, in better condition than he remembered them being in, having been freshly oiled and polished.
There was no note inside either, which meant that Ix would deny having sent it. He could imagine the poorly feigned surprise when Eric told him about it already. Which also meant that he would definitely refuse to let Eric pay for whatever it cost to recover these. That, and the time and effort; when had Ix even arranged to look into it or find someone to recover them? Eric had been with him most days since and he hadn’t seen him pen a letter once. He imagined it was a pretty penny, given several of these swords were collected from other countries. Not to mention the cost of the ornamental ones just from the value of the inlaid jewels. Which meant that Eric just had to accept this as a gift.
It struck Eric that this was probably why Ix had used the pendant. He must have known that the parcel was due to be delivered and had been waiting for Eric’s reaction.
