Page 47 of Badmouths & Bards

“That’s not my story to tell.”

Chapter 20

Ameriden

The sex had been great.

Not that Ameriden had any doubts given how fiery Tala was, but there was always a small chance they weren’t going to be compatible. The challenge of getting Tala to agree to having them was over and now it would be smooth sailing.

Minus whoever is trying to stalk Casi, Ameriden thought as he dropped a shrimp into Dumpling’s enclosure.

While Tala had been right about the unknown origin of the ring, Ameriden was more inclined to believe that the ring had been meant for Casimine. He had no illusions of what their audience thought about them. Ameriden was the body—something the crowd desired in their beds, in their fantasies. Someone people wanted to carry them over mud puddles. But Casimine? He was marriage material. The man people wanted to bring home to their parents, the one they wanted raising their children.

There was always a small chance that the ring’s origin had come from Ameriden’s past, but he doubted it. His parents had four other children—all of them save for his eldest and only sister could replace him for the trials on Morningtide Enclave. When he had left, he had severed all ties to his family—to his people. Unless his brothers had died, he sincerely doubted any of them couldn’t fulfill the obligation of competing for a place in the Zephyr’s Dynasty.

Ameriden shook off the thought. He hadn’t thought about his family—of those old obligations— in a long time. Perhaps talking to Tala about it, even in the most vaguest way, had unlocked that part of his memory that Ameriden was so desperate to keep weighed down.

“Amer, stop messing around and get over here,” Seira barked.

“Jeez, can’t a stingray dad take care of his precious baby boy?” Ameriden grumbled as he plopped into one of the chairs at the table.

Tala had excused herself when Seira arrived at lunch time—long after they had cleaned up and redressed. The smell of sex had disappeared thanks to the incense they had lit earlier that morning. Tala’s reasoning? She wanted to do another patrol outside the inn, but Ameriden was pretty sure she just wanted to be alone. He couldn’t blame her. The sex had been fucking amazing, but she was probably still upset about her friend.

Plus, what a gift to be able to come and go as you please without worrying about being mobbed just because you can carry a tune.

“Yeah, yeah, shut it,” Seira grumbled with affection. “I brought more notes from the locals. Check ‘em out and tell me if there’s anything of interest.”

It was still strange to Ameriden to have their manager interviewing people for tales of legend when that had been their routine earlier in their career. Good bards were excellent performers but great bards were just as good at listening to stories. Half the work was interviewing locals and piecing together stories that could be turned into songs or poetry. Yet, as Cashmere Fantasy’s popularity began to grow, their ability to share stories from the heart with strangers had diminished. Ameriden might not have been the same caliber of lyricist as Casimine was, but he still missed those small interactions with the denizens of Ordia.

Glancing across the table at his partner, he could tell Casimine missed it, too. Ameriden stretched his leg out, his foot brushing the side of Casimine’s. His lover returned the gesture, sending him a quiet smile before his eyes returned to Seira’s messy scrawl.

Honestly, most of what Seira had gotten was standard stuff. Jilted lovers, hopeful yearnings, and disasters both denizen made and monstrous. Universal, but nothing that really stood out as a story that spoke to both of them. Everything in Ameriden’s hands lacked the spark of inspiration, and he wasn’t certain if it was because the stories were arriving second hand or not.

“Any word on the ring?” Ameriden asked as he scanned the parchment in front of him.

“Not yet, but I’m sure we’ll find out soon.” Seira let out a short laugh. “Your bodyguard mentioned checking it out for me while she does a perimeter check.”

He hadn’t remembered Tala mentioning that, but Ameriden might have missed it given he had been so wrapped up in helping Casimine to the bedroom, shoving his clothes in after him. Luckily, Ameriden and Tala had put most of their clothes back on before Seira had arrived.

“The merchant isn’t very far from the inn?” Casimine asked. “I didn’t think she would patrol very far from us.”

The question was simple on the surface, but Ameriden knew Casi was also inquiring how far away Tala would be from them. A concern that nagged at his own mind, though Ameriden knew of all people, Tala would be a lot better off than an everyday denizen of Ordia. He had felt the power behind her hands, the way she could have broken his hold on her while Casimine ruined her with his tongue. Yet, she refused to. That spoke of control, despite being drunk off pleasure.

Fuck, not the time to get hot.

The sex had been really good though.

“Yeah, it’s not far from here. Merchants who deal with gemstones tend to live closer to the upper crusties, if you catch my meaning,” Seira said, grabbing the cup of coffee beside her and taking a swig. “Plus, if someone’s gonna be buying you more gifts, it helps to keep an eye on the market, too. Not that where they’re located really matters in Eshorion. I told you boys about the thieves guild, right? Crime is king here.”

Crime was king everywhere, though Ameriden wasn’t as familiar with theft the way Casimine had been. No one would dare steal directly from the Pernimas Dynasty as their name alone spoke of their status. It would be seen not only as a crime against the emperor, but to divinity itself. Casimine, on the other hand, hadn’t been a stranger to theft given his childhood. Although Ameriden couldn’t imagine it, the thought of Casimine fighting tooth and nail for every bite of rice he could get his small hands on had never sat right with Ameriden.

He had said it enough in college—how much he wished he had known Casimine when they were younger. How desperately he wished he could have shared his purse strings with him sooner. Yet, Casimine never lingered on that period of his life the way Ameriden did. Whether it was because that time was too difficult for him or Casimine had made peace with it, Ameriden couldn’t be certain. Either way, Ameriden had sworn to Casimine over pork buns that he would never go hungry as long as they were together.

That drive had given him enough courage to apply to college and charm his way into getting auditions for both of them. It was their mutual desire to stand on their own feet with their skills and talent that had secured their position. Passion and drive had gotten them far—farther than most bards could ever hope to dream.

So, why does it feel selfish to want to have a simple life with him? With them?

“Nothing a bodyguard can’t handle, though, right?” Ameriden asked.