Page 79 of Wanted: Rogues and Bards

“It’s fine, it’s fine, we’re not landing. Is something amiss? You look like you’re brooding. Need Tub Time?”

Fenric thought about it for a long moment, but honestly, yes, Tub Time sounded like a good idea just then. He toed off his boots, shucked his pants, and climbed in. He sat on the side like Rain, which allowed him to cool his feet while still being able to see their direction.

Rain glanced his way, but he had to focus on sailing, of course; they weren’t out of the Curve just yet. “My, it’s been a while since you took me up on my offer. What’s this about, then?”

“I don’t understand my own reactions,” Fenric admitted slowly.

“Regarding Lirion?”

Fenric winced. “Am I so obvious?”

Rain threw his head back and let out a deep belly laugh. “Who the hell else would it be? Puppy?”

There was no suppressing the shudder that ran through Fenric, which only made Rain laugh harder. Maxie was a handsome young man, but any emotions Fenric had for him were strictly brotherly.

“No, let me guess. You’ve suddenly developed feelings for the grumpy elf.”

“Okay, okay. You’ve made your point.” Other than the addition of Maxie to their group, the only big change to his life recently had been Lirion, the sexy, sweet, funny incubus who was regularly blowing his mind and emptying his balls with amazing sex.

As the last of Rain’s guffaws faded, he shook his head. “Hmm, I can’t say you’re obvious, as I cannot claim to read a man’s heart. Nor do I know much about the agreement between the two of you.”

That seemed a good place to start, and Fenric stared toward the open sea, not really seeing it or this bright, beautiful sunny day.

“Our agreement was two simple things. First, I would do everything required to rescue his sister and bring her to safety. Second, I would feed him for as long as we worked together.”

“How often is feeding for an incubus?”

“Every other day in order to feel healthy.” Fenric rubbed his jawline, thoughts lingering on the past several days. “The hell of it is, since we made our agreement, we’ve been having sex daily. It’s unnecessary, and Lirion doesn’t push me for it. Hell, he doesn’t even ask most of the time. We just naturally fall into bed with each other every night.”

Now that the floodgates had opened, Fenric found himself pouring it all out. “It’s not even the sex, really, and the sex is fantastic. As one would expect. It’s how I behave around him throughout the day, too. Anytime we’ve sailed about in the past, I’ve been content to play cards with you and Mal or just laze about by myself. Yet now I find myself constantly seeking him out. I genuinely enjoy being around him.”

Belstrom finally stirred from his sunbathing and wandered over, looking Fenric up and down with a quirked brow. “Tub Time? How is it you did not think to notify me of this extraordinary occurrence? Has there been an unforeseen development that needs deliberating?

“Fenric might be crushing on Lirion,” Rain supplied. The smile on his face was both happy and a touch indulgent.

Fenric spluttered. “I didn’t say that!”

Belstrom stripped off his boots and pants and joined in, sinking down into the water, which rose and nearly sloshed over the side as his massive size was added. “I love propounding on the romantic blossoming of one’s heart. What was discussed prior to my arrival?”

Shit, now he had two of them. No, wait, this might be even better. Belstrom gave good advice most of the time. “I’m confused about how I feel toward Lirion. I wasn’t sure I even liked him as a person the first time we met in the jail. But I’m having sex with him when I don’t need to, and I’m finding reasons to be in his company even when sex isn’t involved.”

Belstrom’s bright blue eyes went soft behind his glasses. “You are crushing on him. How enchanting!”

A dagger leapt into Fenric’s hand without conscious choice. “You bloody bastard, say that again.”

Not at all worried, Belstrom kept beaming. “I feel like you have made a wise selection for your crush. Lirion is good natured and kind, not to mention stunningly beautiful.” He reached out and pressed one finger to the hand clutching the knife and pushed so the tip was no longer pointed at his nose.

Well, yes, Lirion was all those things. Fenric wasn’t blind; he saw the man’s good qualities. Lirion was incredibly thoughtful. He’d even taken Fenric to a fence to help him find the missing treasures from his mother’s collection. But, but, but… “Am I crushing on him?”

The other two just looked at him like he’d overlooked step two of a six-step course.

Shit. When put so blatantly, they might be right? Fenric couldn’t explain his actions otherwise. He was of two minds. On the one hand, he didn’t know what to do with this realization. On the other, did it even matter? Lirion had told him frankly that incubi didn’t do long-term relationships. Was there even a chance of a proper relationship here? Or was Fenric grasping at stars?

“Do you seek a genuine relationship with him?” Belstrom asked gently. Which meant the turmoil must be clear on Fenric’s face.

“I don’t…know? Ask me the question again once I’ve wrapped my head around this.” Fenric had gone from a hamster spinning in a wheel to two squirrels fighting over an acorn. He wasn’t sure if that was an improvement.

“You should speak with him,” Rain suggested. “Often, we think we know how the other person feels, but we are far from correct. And what we assume is often worse than it is. He might very well be harboring feelings for you but, because of this situation, feels he cannot voice them.”