Page 4 of Yellow Belly

“That’s one word for it.” Stefano made a rude noise. “Another word is stole. He threatened Fraysia with war if they didn’t cede it, and they were already weak from— Well, it doesn’t matter. The region is ours now. It’s mostly unspoiled wilderness. The council believes that the hills are rich in copper and silver, and they wish to start mining there. The king is keen on the idea. But I spoke out against it.” He could still taste his own words from that meeting; they tasted like ashes.

Henry reached over to grasp Stefano’s hand. “You crossed your father in public. That’s quite rare for you.”

“Quite rare as in I never have before? Yes. But this time I was exceptionally stupid.” In fact, King Cyrus expected all three of his sons to steadfastly support everything he did. With Philip, this wasn’t a problem. If the king said that the sun was made of butter, the heir would have ardently supported him. Louis generally paid little attention to anything said in the council. He was wont to stare blankly ahead—his mind undoubtedly occupied with his spell-casting and magic books—and agree absently whenever he was called on. As for Stefano, he disagreed often, but had always kept his opinions to himself.

“Why are you opposed to his plan?” Henry’s gaze was searching and kind.

“The mining will damage the landscape and, most likely, destroy a nearby lake. The animals that live there will die.” He was aware how ridiculous this sounded. Why should he care about creatures far away? But he did, and knowing that he was powerless to help them made him feel hollow.

Henry didn’t tell him he was ridiculous. Instead, he brought their clasped hands to his mouth and kissed Stefano’s knuckles. “I can picture his face when you spoke up. Did it go that interesting purple hue?”

“This isn’t funny, Henry. He hurt you.” Stefano was on the verge of tears. He wanted to storm out of the room, but Henry still held his hand, so instead he simply turned his head away.

“He hurt me because it hurts you. That has always been my purpose. We’ve discussed this, Stef. When you were a boy and more troublesome than your brothers, he had me brought in. He fostered our friendship, knowing that you had no other friends. And then he used your love for me as a way to control you. He still does.”

Stefano knew all of these things, and they sickened him. He had been a desperately lonely child, left to the indifferent care of servants and the harsh education of tutors. He’d clung immediately to Henry, not even considering at first how Henry was affected by being separated from his previous life and used as little more than a disciplinary tool. Eventually, though, Stefano had looked beyond himself to understand Henry’s position. To be hurt by Henry’s beatings more than if he’d been beaten himself. And gods, he’d come to love Henry so deeply. The fact that his love was used against them was a perversion.

Henry kissed his hand again. “He had me whipped this time in order to humiliate you and weaken your status among the councilors.”

“Yes.”

“But you must understand something. I willingly accept your punishments. I rejoice in the pain because it is I that endures it and not you. You have my heart, my beloved. My soul. I would peel off my skin to warm you if you shivered. I may not have been given a choice in the matter, but that is of no consequence because, no matter what, I will always choose you. It is an honor to serve you.”

Stefano knew very well why he loved Henry, who was strong and kind and smart and beautiful. He could never quite comprehend why Henry loved him back, although there was no doubt that he did.

“You should sleep,” Henry said. “You haven’t been looking after yourself these past days.”

Stefano stared glumly until Henry gave his shoulder a brisk shake. “If you really want to help me, Your Highness, stop blaming yourself. It’s not fair, and it does neither of us any good.”

Fueled by a burst of anger, Stefano sat upright and threw his hands into the air. “Then what should I do? Pretend to support my father’s plans, no matter how abhorrent I find them? Or speak my mind and watch as he abuses you? The next time will be worse, you know.”

“I do know.”

“How many times will it take until he kills you?”

An odd look passed over Henry’s face. “Then he would have no more tool to use against you. You could speak as freely as you wished.”

Stefano gasped as if he’d been hit. He felt as if he’d been hit, somewhere in the center of his chest perhaps, and drawing breath was a struggle. “No,” he rasped. He wanted to say more, to explain that without Henry, his world would hold no light, no warmth. But he realized that would place an additional burden on Henry’s already scarred back. Instead, Stefano willed his heart to beat steadily.

“You must go,” Stefano said.

Puzzled, Henry frowned. “You wish me to sleep on the cot?”

“I wish you to leave the kingdom.” That was the worst lie Stefano had ever uttered, but he continued as if it were true. “You are not a prisoner here. You are not bound or indentured in any way. I can give you plenty of funds to establish yourself beyond our borders, where you will be safe.”

For a long moment, Henry said nothing. Stefano hoped with all his might that Henry would agree to leave—and also feared it more than death itself. Then Henry moved quickly, pushing Stefano flat against the mattress and hopping onto him so that Henry was seated atop Stefano’s groin.

“You shouldn’t mo⁠—”

“Shut up, Stef.” Henry settled in a bit more. Fabric lay between them, but it was only the thin linen of their nightclothes and might as well have not existed at all. “So long as you love me, I will never leave you. Do you love me?”

Stefano put his hands on Henry’s hips, intending to push him away. But his hands simply remained there, comfortable against long-familiar contours. And he could not bring himself to lie again. “I love you.”

Henry’s smiles had enchanted Stefano from the day they met. It wasn’t only that they made him even more beautiful; they were also an invitation. They meant that Stefano was included, that this remarkable person was made happier by Stefano’s presence. Far from fading, the smiles’ effects had intensified over the years. And now, despite all the difficulties that Stefano and Henry faced, that smile eased Stefano’s anxieties. He could almost believe that they would find lasting joy together.

“So you see?” Henry looked almost cheerful. “I cannot leave you.”

“That’s foolish of you.”