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CHAPTER6
Christopher rubbed his eyes as he sat up and looked over at Dash, who was already out of bed and completely dressed. Dash lit one of the oil lamps on the dresser, but he didn’t turn it up very high. Christopher reached for his pocket watch as he looked to the window.
“It’s five. The sun’s barely hit the horizon,” Christopher said, longing to pull Dash back into bed with him.
“Which makes it the perfect time for me to leave. I’ll have time to take a break midday, and I’ll arrive at my destination around sundown, when most people will be at home. The streets won’t be busy, and the businesses won’t be open. I’ll take a room at the inn and have a drink, then go to bed and set out just as early the next day to make my drop off and then head out of town. I’ll only be about three days behind you. Two if you linger here a bit longer.”
“Sounds like forever,” Christopher said. He pushed himself out of bed and pulled Dash to him. “I’ll stay until lunchtime and then set out. If I take my time and you hurry, we may arrive in Silvar within a day of each other.”
“You focus on what you have to do and don’t worry about me. I’ve never come close to being caught.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “And I do look significantly different with the lighter hair and no beard.”
Christopher linked his hands behind Dash’s neck and drew him down. “You better come back to me. It’s not fair to chase me down and make me need you so much and then get yourself caught and hanged.”
“You’re right. That would be horrible for you, so I’ll double my efforts to stay safe.” Dash tilted his head to bring their lips together.
Christopher sighed into the kiss. He considered telling Dash that his feelings were growing, but he didn’t want to risk distracting him. His highwayman already had plenty of reason to come back to him. When they parted, though, he did add, “Please be safe. I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”
Dash arched one brow. “You’d be fine. You’d help your brother and work for your people and find someone your age to—”
Christopher slapped his hand over Dash’s mouth. “Don’t you dare say one word about me being with anyone else. I won’t stand for it.”
Dash chuckled. “You won’t, huh?”
“No. I won’t.”
Dash pushed him up against the wall. “Good,” he whispered before capturing Christopher’s mouth in a breath-stealing kiss.
Christopher expected Dash to throw him down on the bed and pin him there until after the sun had risen, but Dash drew away and simply caressed his cheek. “I’m going to be the man you deserve.”
“You already are. Stealing from rich people seems so minor compared to the things some people do.”
“Maybe, but I did it for my own gain. I helped others from time to time but nowhere near as much as I could have. You’ve accepted me as I am. What I want now is for you to be proud of me.”
“You’re doing a fine job. I see a lot in you that will make me proud to have you at my side.”
Dash took up his bag. “We’ll be back together in no time. I promise.” He kissed Christopher one last time and slipped out the door.
Christopher went to the curtain and peeked out when he heard light hoofbeats. He watched Balor and Dash until they turned a corner. He returned to their bed and pulled Dash’s pillow to him. He buried his face against it and soon fell back to sleep, his fitful dreams full of longing.
* * *
Dash nodded to the bartender to refill his ale. The tavern was busier than he’d expected it to be, but in a way, that was good. Everyone around him had other people and other things to focus on. He eyed those around him casually as he drank at a measured pace. He’d scanned the wanted posters in the town square and hadn’t noticed any more like the one they’d seen the day before. He took one last swig of ale before setting the mug down. As he was reaching into his pocket to pull out a few coins, a familiar scent hit his nose.
“I’d never have recognized you, but I knew Balor on sight,” a man said.
Dash turned to the man who’d just sat down beside him. “Did he try to bite you?” Dash asked.
After emptying his own mug of ale, Theodore smiled at him. “I didn’t get close enough.” He leaned closer. “How are you? I’ve heard rumors.”
“I’m well,” Dash said. “And if you wish to discuss rumors, we should go to my room.”
“Fair enough.” Theodore set down his empty mug next to Dash’s and placed a coin on the bar beside it, and Dash put his money down as well.
They walked across the street to the inn, and Dash let them in through the side door and up the back stairs. Once they were in Dash’s room, Theodore crossed his arms and eyed him critically. “I don’t object to losing you as competition, but I’m not sure I like this news about you forsaking our romantic lifestyle.”
Dash laughed. “It’s not romantic, and you know it.”
Theodore relaxed and lounged in one of the chairs by the fire. “Oh, but it’s fun, isn’t it? And I actually feel safe sleeping with you in camp. I know you won’t slit my throat, and that shifter hearing of yours will have you on your feet if anyone else gets such ideas.”
