Page 59 of Badmouths & Bards

“Do you remember what they looked like?”

“Ah, simple gentlemen. Human. Had dark hair and eyes…think he might have had a mole on—”

“The right side of his cheek!” Tala crowed.

“Um, yeah,” the guard looked confused, “how did you—”

“Do you remember what his reasoning was for coming to the city? Do you know where he was coming from?”

“Yeah, he said he was here to take care of some business,” the guard replied. “Said he was coming from GloomsDale and the weather was bad.”

Chapter 26

Casimine

The afternoon before their first meeting with King Oryin’vel Vyrthsalis was as busy as any other show night. It was a routine that Cashmere Fantasy had grown accustomed to, but it would be their first public appearance since the incident. Casimine was very aware of the way his manager and fellow bard were navigating the situation. Seira arrived with lunch—simple salads provided from the inn—and went over the preparations for their arrival.

Make up artists and hair coiffeurs first—a group of four, dressed in slim robes with bold geometric designs. Then, the tailors who had managed to design outfits that were a nod to the Eshorion fashion and honored their own personal styles. Though, Casimine questioned the etiquette of Ameriden’s tunic length. It wasn’t as scandalous as what he wore on stage, but the sliver of enticing skin beneath the vest was sure to draw admiring glances.

All of it was normal, but it was the quiet anticipatory anxiety that kept Casimine thoroughly wound up. The urge to bite his lip was only stifled by the fact that the make up artists would not be attending the king’s event with them. Touch ups would be impossible once they left for the castle proper. So, Casimine did his best to push back against the current of emotions, reciting the lyrics—in elvish—over and over under his breath.

They had ultimately decided to write a song about Eshorion’s glory. It wasn’t as personal as Casimine would have liked, but it was a testament to the monarchy.

“Royals love it when you suck up to them,” Amer had replied when Casimine questioned the ballad’s direction. “Trust me, the king will be no different.”

Casimine was about to start his fifth run of the song when Ameriden suddenly saddled up beside him. Ivory wasn’t a color that Casimine associated with Ameriden, but the sight of him in such fine fabrics and embroidered, tight fitting pants was a lovely sight. His hair was slicked back, eyes sharp and knowing.

He looks like a noble prince about to get married.

Ameriden bumped Casimine’s hip with his own. “You’re blushing.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Casimine huffed under his breath.

Discretion was never far from them on performance nights. Even with their entourage reduced to a team of five—including Seira—Casimine was always aware of the eyes on them at any given moment.

“Sure.” Ameriden tilted his head. “How do you like your outfit? Are you going to be able to sing in that?”

While his partner was a picturesque figure of power, Casimine was dressed with more imagination in mind. The tailors had fit him for a high-collared tunic boasting long, flowing sleeves that were more in fashion with water and air hanfen. The hem was about ankle length, creating a silhouette that invited elegance in a similar shade of ivory… and yet, despite being covered nearly head to toe, Casimine still felt horribly exposed.

“It’s just a ballad and a few of our more popular stories. I can handle it,” Casimine assured with a hint of irritation.

A beat passed before Ameriden snatched him by the wrist. Casimine nearly tripped as the other bard pulled him into their bedroom and shut the door.

All in front of those people—

“What are you—”

Ameriden cut him off, slanting his mouth over his and kissing deep. He pulled Casimine close, pressing them together so tightly. Casimine tried to pull away, to question what this was about, but Ameriden was insistent in stealing his breath away. By the time Ameriden finally pulled away, Casimine felt faint and uncomfortably aroused.

“What’s going on, Casi?” Ameriden asked. “Why are you being weird with me?”

Casimine blinked, painted lashes fluttering in confusion. “I’m not being weird.”

“Bullshit,” Ameriden said with a roll of his eyes. “We’re getting ready for a show and you’re hiding in the corner of the room, singing our new song like your auditioning for college all over again. The Casi I know would be flirting with the make up artists and asking them questions, but you were dead silent today.”

He wanted to argue, but by the Water Mother, Ameriden was obnoxiously observant when he wanted to be. Casimine couldn’t deny he was right. He had been quiet, he had been shying away instead of taking the space he normally would. It wasn’t like him, but Casimine wasn’t sure what he was like anymore.

Within the darkened interior of their shared bedroom, the warm rays of the setting sun filtered through their window. The light fell across Ameriden’s face, bringing the brilliant shade of cyan into sharp relief. Ameriden was handsome—he was always handsome—but the way his dark eyes stared at Casimine…like he hung Eluthka in the sky.