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Christopher sighed. “This is Dash.”
“Oh,” Simon said. He blinked and stared at Christopher. “TheDash?”
* * *
Dash couldn’t help smiling as the two men stared at each other. “I see you have told him about me,” Dash said, loving the way Christopher’s pale cheeks pinkened. “I can’t wait to hear what you had to say.”
Simon sheathed his short sword and glanced around. “You two probably shouldn’t be attracting this kind of attention in the street. There’s always a chance Christopher will be recognized.”
“He’s of age and has been for years. Why would anyone care?” Dash asked.
“People love gossip. The story would grow with each telling, and who knows what kind of twists might get added. Before long one kiss would turn into a tryst in an alley. We have to think about what rumors of any kind could mean in the months to come.”
What they could mean in the months to come? What exactly is coming in the next few months? If they say the king’s arranged a marriage for Christopher, I’m throwing him over my shoulder right now and heading for the nearest port.“I’m sure I’m missing something here, but it wouldn’t be the first time you’ve kept me in the dark,” Dash said to Christopher.
“We have somewhere to be,” Christopher said. “If you want an explanation, you have to come with us. We don’t have time to stop any longer, and I’m not going to talk about it here.”
“Come with us” was all Dash needed to hear. He clicked his tongue and watched as Balor came trotting out of the trees. Simon and Christopher both stared at the horse, their eyes wide. Dash chuckled and said, “Animals like me, especially this one.”
“Are you sure about this?” Simon whispered to Christopher as they all prepared to leave.
Dash kept his eyes on his bag as he pretended to resecure it. He’d never told Christopher how keen his hearing was, and now he was very glad of that omission.
Christopher whispered back. “Yes. He’s good in a fight, and he’ll be loyal to me.” He paused. “We are mates, and if he’s trying to reform, I can’t send him away just yet.”
Just yet? You aren’t sending me away at all, and I’m not letting you run again. Whatever you’re up to, I’m going to help you see it through.
Dash was about to mount Balor, but he stopped when Christopher came back over to him.
“Can you promise me something?” Christopher asked.
“Try me,” Dash said, moving closer. He noticed the way this move made Christopher’s breathing, and his scent, change. The urge to crush the younger man to him again was strong, but he made himself keep still.
“Trust us, even if we don’t tell you everything. Run if we say run. Hide if we say hide. Be ready to fight if we say someone is our enemy, no matter how the situation looks. Trust the people we say to trust and no one else. Keeps your eyes open and be ready for anything.”
Dash stiffened, every sense on high alert now. “Can you tell me anything? If there’s a threat to you, I need to know about it. I want to be able to spot the enemies before you do. I’ve already proven my sword is yours. I have pistols and knives too if we need them. You’ve seen me fight—shifters don’t hold back when their mates are in danger.”
“Hopefully it won’t come to that kind of conflict,” Christopher said.
“I think about that day all the time,” Dash whispered.
“So do I,” Christopher said softly. “You were so brave. I’d never seen anyone move so fast. You bested two men before I was able to get a blow in against one. I’ve worked hard since then, training with Simon, but in a way I’m very glad you showed up. We’ll need men like you in the days to come.”
Dash inched even closer. “My thoughts linger on what happenedbeforewe had to fight those three men. I imagine you beneath me every night. I know it meant something to you. I wish you’d trust me. Why do you need brave men? Why are you both talking about the days and months to come as if something terrible might happen?”
“Later, please. Telling you here would increase the danger. It’s not terrible. It’s wonderful. But we may have to fight to see it through.” Christopher reached up and touched his cheek. “Trust me now, and I’ll trust you this evening. Tell you what I can.”
Dash pressed Christopher’s hand to his cheek. It was the first time the younger man had reached out to him with affection while their clothes were on, and he kissed Christopher’s wrist before holding the prince’s hand to his heart. “As you wish, Your Majesty,” he whispered before kissing Christopher’s wrist again.
“It’s YourHighness. I’m a mere prince. Only the king and queen are addressed as majesty,” Christopher said, a mischievous gleam in his eye, which Dash found incredibly appealing.
“Ah, I’ll keep that in mind,” he whispered.
“Would you two come on?” Simon called, his impatience clear in his voice.
Christopher seemed to be trying to hold laughter in as he turned and mounted his horse. Dash hoisted himself up on to Balor and leaned over the horse to whisper, “You think he’s jealous? I hear things aren’t perfect between him and this mysterious half-brother.”
Simon and Christopher whispered together, and then they all set off, but not before Simon threw an annoyed look back at Dash.
