XXXVII
James waited but Alex never showed up at their room.
?If James pressed his ear against the wall, he could hear all three of the other men next door; Thomas, Riley, and Fletcher. They'd all settled down by the time James had snuck back in, the cool evening air pushing people back into the warmth, but Alex was nowhere to be seen.
?James peered out the window, looking down at the street. Drunken men staggered, hollering gleefully as they tripped over uneven cobbles, framed in orange from the fiery street lamps. It wasn't much quieter than the storey below him, laughter rippling through the floorboards he stood on.
?The women were dressed much nicer than the men, dolling beautiful dresses that James could appreciate.
The fabrics weren't expensive, the commoners couldn't afford that.
Instead, their garments were crafted in a way that would emphasise their existing beauty, hugging in all the right places, handmade and personalised.
Opposed to the noble ladies who used frilly flamboyant dresses as a way to replace what they lacked, like plain sparrows donning peacock feathers, the women down here were unique and beautiful in so many different ways and their clothing reflected that.
?James smiled. King, his arse. Life down here was so much better and so much more exciting. He wouldn't give it up for anything.
?He did briefly consider going down to the tavern downstairs to flirt with some of the gorgeous ladies but he didn't think it would be polite to do so whilst he was still pursuing Alex. Maybe a little look around wouldn't hurt though.
?Taking a cloak out from his bag, he wrapped it around his shoulders, pulling the hood up. He'd started keeping his hair out of his face recently so he ruffled it back over his forehead, nervous about people freaking out over the colour of his eyes. Many didn't care, but he couldn't be too careful.
?Keeping Eris hidden under his cloak, he quietly toed through the corridor, not wanting to be heard by the other three.
?Down the stairs he went, the chatter getting louder with each step. The best part about staying at an inn was the easy access of booze right below.
?Darkened confusing figures squeezed past each other, the tavern packed tightly with people.
The customers were outlined with what James thought was a brown or orange shine from the numerous lamps that hung in the corners.
Even if it was tricky, James could see most of the details, so he didn't feel too anxious.
?Weaving among the crowd, enjoying the warmth of other people as he brushed past them, he made his way to the bar in good spirits. The fact that no one here knew him felt comfortable, he could blend in or vanish at his pleasure, tetherless, free.
?The countertop was sticky as James leaned his elbows against it, his sleeves clinging to the wood and picking up the smell of stale beer. A young woman was pouring something into a cup from a barrel's tap, her back turned to the customers. James let himself admire a little.
?The entire back wall was stacked with barrels, an impressive amount, with only a few bottles of wine sitting on a lonely shelf. As James glanced around, it seemed all the people were drinking the same thing.
?"What can I get you, love?"
?James put on a charming smile. "Whatever everyone else is having, thanks. I assume it's a speciality?"
?She was pretty, but her polite smile was clearly professional. No doubt she would spend every night getting hit on, she was probably tired of it. That was okay with him, he was only here to look.
?"Well," she said, a genuine twinkle appearing in her eye.
"Our town is famous for our mead. Which direction did you travel from?
" She looked him up and down, evaluating him.
It was pretty clear that James was a traveller.
Unlike the smartly dressed locals, his clothes were too practical for a social evening.
?"East."
?"Aha, so you haven't seen it yet. Although this town is surrounded by forest right here, if you continue along the road westward you'll see our beautiful flower fields."
?James hummed in interest. Flowers weren't a normal crop to grow. "Sounds pretty."
?"It is." She nodded. Even though she probably told travellers this every night, there was still pride in her tone.
"I doubt you'll find a single person in this town that doesn't keep their own bees down there.
We're famous for our honey and it makes our mead sweet and delicious. Best you'll ever have." She winked.
?James wasn't much of a mead drinker but he was intrigued. "Sounds perfect to me."
?If the flowers were westward, it was very likely that they'd pass them the next day.
Alex never stopped to appreciate the beauty the kingdom had to offer, he was too caught up in his jaded overworked head.
He had seemed to like the fireflies James had shown him, so James knew he had a sense of beauty deep down.
There was so much more to see out there, but Alex wouldn't seek it himself.
?"Here ya go."
?James accepted the wooden cup of mead with thanks, leaving her an extra silver bit for the helpful tip. It was Alex's money anyway.
?He drank down a few quick gulps to prevent the mead from spilling as he carefully walked away.
It was sweet, floral and clean, with an acidic bite, the undercurrent of honey was strong and firm to taste.
It was rare he got to have something sugary.
It wasn't his new favourite but it was indeed the best mead he'd ever had. The locals' pride was deserved.
?James made his way to a corner, wanting to watch the excitement from afar.
As he dodged through, a lyre started to be plucked experimentally, followed by someone testing a flute.
The people cheered, the energy increasing.
Those who had been sitting suddenly stood up, moving to the other side of the tavern.
James used the opportunity to snag a chair, but a large man suddenly caught his attention.
?James grinned, recognising that hulk of a figure instantly.
?Alex sat on a highchair, next to a small round table. He was nursing his drink, watching from afar like James had planned to as well. Instead of sitting where he found himself, he strolled up to Alex and peered into his cup.
?"What's a handsome man like yourself doing alone?" he drawled. He had to raise his voice to be heard over the chatter.
?Alex glanced up at him with disinterest. Maybe he had already seen James coming, or maybe he hadn't. Either way, he was brooding, unimpressed with James' interruption.
?James waved a hand to the empty chair next to him. "May I?" He sat down before the sulking man could think to answer.
?Like waves, pushing then retreating, he was silent for a little while. He knew just how to work Alex.
?Once he thought he was safe to do so, he pointed at Alex's cup of wine.
?"You make no effort to blend in with the locals at all, huh?"
?Alex vaguely gestured to his face, as if proving why it was a pointless endeavour. James wasn't sure he agreed, it was so dim in there that the drunken locals probably wouldn't have even noticed his race.
?Wanting to keep the air light, James said his next words playfully. "I know something exciting that you don't."
?He sipped at the mead, the alcohol warming him, tasting the floral aroma of the honey and thinking about the flower fields that he would show Alex.
?After a minute or so, Alex finally took the bait. "What is it?"
?James cocked his head side to side, like he was considering something. He winked. "A secret, for now."
?Alex huffed. "Why are you here bothering me? Go pick up some women or something, I saw you looking."
?James shrugged unapologetically. But, he thought about it; why was he hanging around with this grouch? He looked around the room at the beautiful people but didn't find the motivation to talk to any of them. He was too distracted.
?"Honestly, for some reason, I'm not really interested in them right now." He didn't think much about his words as he said them. "Feels annoying. I'd rather sit here with you."
?James wasn't really the kind of guy that often took women home from a bar anyway. He didn't live anywhere to take them to, nor did he fancy getting entangled with others. It was too messy. Some flirting and some touching was as far as he'd normally go, but he didn't fancy doing that.
?He looked back at Alex to find the man's shoulders stiffer than rock, his eyes staring intently at the ground, unblinking.
He was perfectly still, as if carved from marble.
James quickly scanned the crowd, looking for danger, but found nothing.
Alex didn't look like he was about to draw a weapon, so the danger wasn't physical. He was being weird.
?Waves, James. Waves.
?James sipped at his drink in silence, letting Alex recover, not knowing what had set him off. Maybe he had seen someone in the crowd that looked like someone else. James often had that, he froze when he saw long plaited blonde hair, like his brother's.
?The musicians began playing properly, the plucky vibrations of strings peaking over the smooth flute. It was a slow song, peaceful. Some of the locals began swaying with each other.
?Finally, Alex relaxed and chuckled in defeat, rubbing a hand down his tired face. "You're a fucking idiot."
?Weirdly, Eris seemed to agree. It wasn't often that she got involved in casual conversations like this. James must have missed something obvious.
?"Language," he scolded, due to a lack of a better response. He tapped a finger against his cup and then held it in front of Alex, wagging it.
?Alex regarded it suspiciously. "What is it? Did you poison it?"
?"Mead," James replied. "No poison. They do say honey is an aphrodisiac, though."
?"Ah, so seduction then." Alex finally took it, his warm rough hands brushing against James' as he did so. He reluctantly took a sip, clearly unsure whether he liked it or not. It was an acquired taste.
?"My mum used to say that sweet food is the best way to cheer someone up," James said, "I didn't need many cookies as a kid, though."
?Alex passed the cup back. "Are you trying to cheer me up, then?" he asked, with a dubious raise of his thick eyebrows.
?James smiled, leaning in closer to Alex's body, savouring his warmth. "Is it working?"
?Alex eyed him, but didn't move away, his lips were very slightly curved. "You've never talked about your family before."
?"I don't remember them much, so there's not much to say."
?Alex hummed, his smile deeper.
?"What?" James questioned.
?It grew until Alex's teeth were showing. Alex made a futile attempt at stopping it, but he was unable to school his features.
?"Just," he licked his lips, "you don't barter so much anymore, do you?"
?"Huh?"
?"When you talk," Alex clarified, the reflection of lamps danced playfully in his dark eyes, they were creased slightly in humour. "You talk to me properly now, you don't try to barter information. You've changed."
?James narrowed his eyes and leaned away, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden. He drank large mouthfuls of his mead, finishing it off. Never again would he attempt to be nice to this man.
?Alex wasn't finished there. Surprisingly, he closed the gap that James had made, pressing their shoulders back together again and bringing their faces close.
So close that James could see how thick Alex's lashes were, even in the dim lighting.
His heart rate spiked up a notch. Alex had a knowing cheek about him. He was doing it deliberately.
?James supposed he was getting a taste of his own manipulative medicine.
?"What's with the hood?" Alex asked, bringing his hand up to lightly tug on it.
?James swallowed roughly, trying to keep his body under control. His voice would be the first thing to falter if he wasn't careful.
?Boldly, Alex pushed it off James' head. James was too internally shaken and confused to stop him.
?It was unlike Alex to be as forward as this. He was a man obsessed with his reputation, his appearance, a man that cowered away from his own interest in other men. Yet, here he was, getting cosy with another man in the dark corner of a bar.
?This behaviour didn't fit his profile at all.
?Alex then tousled a lock of James' hair, it only made his heart bang harder, his control slipping further. His lungs suddenly wanted more air. He felt overcrowded.
?"You put your hair back down too." Alex observed, his voice was a deep rumble, the kind that made him unable to pitch his voice into a whisper.
?James swatted his hand away then, uncomfortable with how hot and nervous he felt. The adrenaline overworked his brain, leaving him little processing space for himself.
?"My eyes are red," he said, his voice steadier than he felt. "Someone will notice."
?As if reading that James was on the edge of a cliff, Alex retreated. He didn't lean away, but he did pull his face back and kept his hands to himself. He looked pleased with himself, too pleased. It was a dangerous fine line. If Alex had tried anything further, James would have decked him.
?"It's dark in here, no one can see their colour, they look brown." Alex hesitated, then looked away. "I like it when you push your hair back."
?James didn't respond to that, he didn't like that his mind was suddenly taking a big note of that, underlining it in bold letters. It was useless information. He didn't care what Alex thought about how he had his hair.
?He refused to push his hair out of the way, but he didn't pull his hood back up.
?Alex had gone back to nursing his wine. James took the cup off him, with little resistance, and claimed it for himself. It was petty, but it made him feel better.
?"Thomas and Riley are dangerous," he stated.
?Alex exhaled a long breath from his nose, vaguely staring at the crowd. Alex would have known this conversation was coming, perhaps that was why his mood had been bad.
?"Riley is dangerous," Alex agreed.
?"And Thomas."
?Alex shook his head. "No, Thomas isn't."
?James scoffed into the cup and started sipping at it. It's rich deep flavour washing out the sweetness of honey.
?"I'm serious, James."
?James wrinkled his nose. "Thomas reports back to the duke about every little thing you do. I hate Riley, but he's unpredictable. Thomas, though, he's guaranteed."
?Alex smiled sadly and shook his head. "I think you misunderstand him.
Thomas isn't obedient because he's loyal, he's obedient because he's safe.
If he reveals to the duke that he knows about this secret, he would be putting himself in unnecessary danger.
He has a child to think about, he wouldn't dare risk it. "
?It was said too somberly for him to be simply worrying for his colleague. He spoke of danger like he believed the duke would kill him, but with what evidence? It dawned on him.
?"That was the family secret, wasn't it?" James asked. He already knew he was right.
?"The secret?"
?"That you told that guy," James said, "your lover, the one you..."
?Alex nodded in sharp jagged movements, averting his gaze. Clearly, it was a heavy topic for Alex still. James knew a thing or two about having one's secret exposed, especially when it was a dangerous one, he could somewhat sympathise.
?"I regret it," Alex confessed. "I never should have told him that. I said it, yet he paid the price. He would still be alive right now if I'd kept my stupid mouth shut."
?James could understand Alex's anxiety, but not his sadness. That man had betrayed him, used his secret against him, trampling on his affections, all to blackmail the duke for some money. James thought it was good riddance.
?"It became his fault the moment he used it for his own gains."
?James wasn't good at talking about emotions or comforting people. He knew the words wouldn't have meant anything to Alex but he'd wanted to get it on record anyway.
?Alex didn't respond.
?Steering away from the emotional talk, James hesitantly accepted Alex's characterisation of Thomas. "Riley is dangerous, though."
?"That, we can agree on," Alex replied.
?"I want to kill Riley."
?Alex sighed, remarkably unsurprised by the news. "That's illegal."
?"You do realise who you're talking to, right?"
?Alex regarded him for a moment, looking up and down, unimpressed. "Okay genius, so you kill Riley after confessing your plans to me. What would you plan to do next, hm?"
?James shrugged. "Run away."
?Alex panicked, his eyes wild. "You can't do that."
?"What?"
?"You can't do that." Alex insisted, "you won't do that. You won't because you would've already."
?James slowly blinked at the outburst, nonplussed.
?Hackles raised, Alex snatched the wine back and downed it. This was the second time Alex had freaked out over a reason James didn't understand. Alex's insistence wasn't heartfelt, it was desperate.
?Annoyed, James kissed his teeth, holding back the snide comments that wanted to spill out.
?"Why did you bring Riley?" he asked instead.
?"I told you, remember? He knows more than he lets on. He said he'd only tell me if I brought him."
?James rolled his eyes. "Okay, well, can you get on with it? You think he's scary now, but he's hiding his true colours. He's dangerous."
?"Danger this, danger that. You missed a person, by the way."
?"Who?" James frowned. "Not Fletcher, he didn't understand what it meant."
?Alex pointed directly at him. "Not Fletcher, you."
?"Me?" James exclaimed, pointing at himself, his voice rising a pitch. "You don't trust me?"
?"You're the one who told me not to," Alex pointed out.
?"Yeah but..." James scrambled for words, "that was that, and this is this!"
?"What does that even mean?"
?"Well..." James tried to think of a way to explain. "I wanked you off."
?Alex's look of horror quickly melted into surprise laughter, his body trembling. He covered his mouth with his hand, like he could hold back the chortling. "What the fuck logic is that?"
?"It would be rude if I used that secret against you," James insisted. "Immoral, even. Unethical."
?"You're so fucking strange." Alex managed to force out, his voice tight and vibrating. James thought he was the strange one.
?Laughter suited the man, he looked handsome with that wide grin and creased eyes. It was possible that he was also flushed in the cheeks but James couldn't see it.
?James huffed in annoyance and snatched the wine back for a final time, disappointed once he saw the cup had been emptied. He abandoned it on the chair next to him.
?"I won't kill him, yet. But you better get a move on or I'll run out of patience."
?Alex worked on schooling his features, the odd amused huff and snort coming out of him. He had mostly regained control over himself.
?"I'll claim self-defence," James bargained.
?"Fine, fine," Alex placated him, smiling. "I suppose I can't really control you in the first place. Give me some time, okay?"
?"I'll give you as much time as I can manage." He wasn't going to make promises he couldn't keep. Riley was excessively irritating.
?The music picked up speed, with a drum being added into the mix.
The locals cheered excitedly, grabbing partners to dance with, many pulling in the closest stranger next to them.
The pairs of people linked elbows and danced around each other in circles, sometimes switching with others.
Those who weren't dancing, were clapping along with the drums, keeping the beat.
The room became enveloped with the boisterous sound of singing, shouting along in drunken glee.
It must have been a local song because James' didn't recognise it and some of the words were unknown to him, like it was from a local dialect.
?He smiled, enjoying the display of local culture. He looked at Alex from the corner of his eye, the other man watching happily. A neat little idea formed in his head.
?He grabbed Alex's bicep and leaned his mouth to Alex's ear.
?"Want to dance with me?"
?Alex leaned away, covering his ear with his hand. James watched as Alex considered it in his head, he couldn't guess what the answer would be. Alex had done some very uncharacteristic things tonight.
?Alex's lips quirked up and he leaned in close so he could be heard.
?"Get enough drinks in me and then ask me again."
?James grinned. That was a good enough answer for him.
?He stood and expertly skirted around the crowds to get to the bar.