“His closet,” Delline clarifies.
“I have a proper cellar in Talorna. Not my fault we have to live like fucking recruits in Ostomar.”
“Complaint noted,” Marek says drily, and takes the wine bottle so Sei can accept the next gift from Delline.
This one is a long, narrow box, polished wood with a brass clasp. Sei unfastens it to find a sheathed dagger nested inside. The blade is as long as Sei’s forearm.
“Every pretty boy should own a knife,” Delline says. “Never know when you need to stab someone.”
“Thank you,” Sei manages, both touched and alarmed.
Marek takes the box from his hands. “We’ll get you some training with that. If you want.”
“Yes, please,” Sei says. “Thank you, Delline.”
“Clem put the food together, so there’s just one more gift.” Marek picks up the final parcel, larger and softer than the others. “Well, there’s two more. I ordered a gray one too, in case you don’t like this one. But it won’t be ready until next week.”
Sei accepts the linen-wrapped bundle. “This is from you?”
“Only if you like it,” Marek says. “Otherwise, it’s from Kamil.”
As he pulls the linen aside, Sei’s mouth drops open. “Oh,wow.”
He hadn’t known wyrmskin could be dyed that color. The jacket is blindingly pink, with equally bright purple lining. Dark steel buckles glitter along the straps.
Marek shifts his weight. “Like I said, if it’s a bit much…”
Sei spins to hold the jacket up to the light. “Marek, Ilove it.”
Marek stands stunned, before a huge grin spreads across his face. “Great. That’s great.”
“This is disgusting,” Delline mutters.
Clem clears their throat. “You two should get going, Stormrider. It’s nearly noon.”
Sei can’t tear his gaze away from the pink wyrmskin jacket. “Where are we going?”
“That’s up to you,” Marek says. “Osric said you wanted to see more of the country, and you said you liked landscapes. I thought we could have a picnic. If you want.”
Sei hugs the jacket close. It smells rich and acrid from the dye. “That sounds nice.”
“You can pick where we go, then,” Marek says. “The Organ Caves or Rainbow River.”
Osric chimes in.The caves are named for the instrument. Not viscera.That lessens Sei’s alarm, but the other option still sounds nicer.
“Let’s go to Rainbow River,” Sei says.
“Great.” Marek is saying that word a lot today, like some sort of talisman. “Osric, could you unlock the door so everyone else can get out of the way?”
Ugh. I suppose.
As Osric ungraciously lets everyone else file through the door, the sky above darkens. Marek pulls Sei to the side, hugging him away from the storm winds of Loska’s descent. Sei’s hair whips across his face, and his entire body hums with the feeling of Marek’s arms around him.
Sei doesn’t know what’s more remarkable. How easily Marek can win him over with gifts—thoughtful, personal, perfect gifts. That Marek would try in the first place. That Sei isn’t in trouble for losing his temper yesterday.
The burning temptation to forget the picnic and kiss Marek against the ramparts.
Loska settles, taking up most of the rooftop.Happy hatching day! I didn’t bring you anything. Where are we going?
