12. Chapter Twelve
Nicholas
The following day, Nicholas used the rafters at the warehouse to reach William’s office.
He spent the night patrolling the outer banks as promised, although he had nothing to show for it.
Nor Evera, who traced his steps and, occasionally, stuck her nose into other people’s business.
One had the drunken audacity to throw an empty wine bottle at her.
He wasn’t sure what became of the man, but he was likely a corpse at the bottom of the river.
Flinging open the office door, a chipper greeting died on his lips upon seeing William wasn’t alone. Charmaine sat on a couch. Jealousy ran hot. She had been with William for the last two years, while Nicholas couldn’t see him. They grew even closer while he and William were torn apart.
“Nicholas, good morning. Charmaine and I have been talking about what you shared with me the other night,” William explained from where he sat behind piles of papers.
Dark bags stained the skin under his eyes and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing his tempting nape. Nicholas wanted to mark that beautiful neck.
“If a shadowed disciple is truly behind this, that explains why no one has caught them. They could have hid themselves from us, so we were thinking Charmaine could escort you to the other sites today to see if you can sense anything else,” William added.
Annoyance sizzled along the edge of his mind.
He wanted to see William, to spend more time together, even if that meant wandering the city streets in search of a monster.
Yesterday wasn’t enough. He desired more.
With Charmaine there, William wouldn’t give him more than a look when all he wanted was to sink into those muscular arms.
“You will not join us?” he asked, trying not to sound bitter and failing abysmally.
“William is busy and we’ll return if we find anything,” Charmaine countered.
“Come with us,” he insisted.
William’s fingers toyed with a stack of papers. Then he shoved them under his arms and stood. “I can’t. A new doctor started today. He’s downstairs. The king is keeping his word, for now. We have to solve this while we have the advantage.”
“You’re right, so this is the best opportunity for you to search with us. There is a doctor to adhere to your patient’s needs. Surely he’s qualified,” he countered.
William huffed. “One would hope so, but this is the king’s pick and, for all I know, the doctor could be a complete scam. Regardless, I should be here on his first day to help him acclimate.”
“The nurses can do that in your stead.”
“These people need me, Nicholas.”
“Do they?” He thought their last few interactions meant something, that they were a step closer, but William kept him at arm’s length. “I am beginning to think you need them, either as a distraction or as an excuse.”
William’s muscles tensed like he prepared for an attack. “If you are going to argue, then leave. Charmaine will handle this.”
He caught William’s hand, the one he so hated. He didn’t understand why. Laurent’s gift helped William survive, kept him here for him to wholly adore.
“What if Charmaine and Evera help handle things, too?” he suggested, causing William’s stare to harden.
“She’s here?” His eyes flicked over Nicholas’ shoulder.
“Just outside, ordered to monitor me by my father. She’ll be bored, no doubt, and easily convinced to go on an adventure.”
Charmaine stood and shook her hands dramatically. “I’m not going anywhere with a fae I know nothing about.”
“She won’t cause you any harm. She knows the consequences if she does,” he reassured her. “This way, we’ll have two teams. William and I can go one way, Charmaine and Evera the other. Should this not be our top priority?”
Based on William’s scowl, he needed more, another nudge to agree.
“King Ellis isn’t a kind man, and especially not a good one. We do have the advantage, but for how long? None of this will last,” said Nicholas. “You trust your nurses. Trust them to handle things here with the new doctor. They can survive the day without you.”
“Will Evera truly be helpful?” asked Charmaine, her eyes downcast. “I’m not spending my day with someone who won’t take this seriously.”
“She has nothing better to do,” he replied.
“That doesn’t mean she will help,” she grumbled under her breath.
William deflated. “Will you give us a moment?”
Charmaine hesitated, her gaze switching between the men. A silent conversation passed between the friends. Nicholas’ envy grew. She could be close to William without worry or consequence. Then she stalked toward the threshold where the door shut upon her departure.
“I just want to see you,” Nicholas pleaded, staring into the eyes he so adored.
“I know. I’m not trying to imply that I don’t want you here. Do you understand that?” William had a curious look, more the doctor than the man.
“It feels you are implying you don’t want to spend as much time with me as I do with you,” he answered earnestly.
“I’m not. I am saying that neither of you needs me out there and that I would like to spend more time with you, but not right now.”
“You misunderstand.” A flush crept along William’s neck when Nicholas caught his waist. He couldn’t help himself.
Seeing William again, finally being near, all he wanted was to run his fingers through William’s hair, kiss his neck, hold him close, listen to his heartbeat.
Lock themselves up where no others will find them so he could have William every second of every day until the stars twinkled out, and the world went dark.
“I need you,” Nicholas repeated. “Two years and I finally have you, but I’m asked to separate from you time and time again. Do you not feel the same? Did you not miss me? Are you not wishing to spend every moment of every day together?”
“That’s what I’m trying to explain. We saw each other yesterday. We can’t spend every moment together and I thought you understood I need time,” said William.
“How much time?”
“Certainly more than a few days. I…” He wore a pained expression. “Would you focus with me around or will you try to make this your attempt at courting?”
“Is that so wrong?” He rubbed William’s waist. “Yesterday and the other night, you seemed comforted by my presence.”
William licked his lips, making Nicholas want to kiss him all the more. He didn’t answer, so Nicholas said, “I want to spend a day together like yesterday, but longer, exploring the city, going to your favorite bookstore, whatever you want, so long as we are together.”
William’s mouth opened and closed before settling on saying, “That is a grave mistake. Others would see us, people who will talk.”
“Why can we not be seen? You are free of the military.”
William scoffed, but he didn’t pull away, and that relieved Nicholas.
“The world condemns fae and mortal relations, Nicholas, and I face enough trouble already, enough ridicule,” he answered with a glance toward his right arm.
“Tell me of this ridicule and I will rid you of them.”
“That isn’t as romantic as you likely think it is.”
“I don’t know. That little smile of yours tells me you like it.”
William bit his lip.
“Come with me today.” Nicholas swayed them from side to side. “I will work. We can talk more and I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
William’s mouth betrayed him by slipping into a genuine smile. It lasted little more than a second, replaced by his usual scowl. He squirmed out of Nicholas’ grasp. “I’ll inform the new doctor of my plans.”
He resisted the urge to celebrate lest William grow embarrassed and change his mind.
“However,” he pointed accusingly at Nicholas. “I am agreeing because of all the years spent apart and I will be doing some studying of my own of your condition.”
“How so?” asked Nicholas.
“We need to see if being together causes changes, if my agreeing to spending more time with you makes you any better or worse. I don’t expect us to find answers when others haven’t—”
Nicholas silenced him by cradling his cheeks. William’s blush spread to his ears, and he savored the sight.
“I appreciate you trying at all,” he whispered, then William playfully pushed him back.
“Wait outside. I’ll be there momentarily.”
He nearly walked down the steps until he remembered that wouldn’t be a good idea. He hopped into the rafters and left the way he came. Charmaine waited outside the warehouse at the front doors. He fell beside her, enticing a curse.
“Where did you come from?” she barked.
He pointed up. “The window.”
“Why? There are doors for a reason.”
“I frightened the patients during my last visit. William was upset, so I took a path they wouldn’t see me.” He beamed eagerly. “Am I not unbelievably considerate?”
Charmaine gawked, then shrugged. “Sure. Now, where is Evera?”
“You called?” Evera asked, resulting in another jump and curse from Charmaine.
“Must fae pop up out of nowhere?” she huffed.
Charmaine’s attention settled on Evera, making her breath catch. Nicholas disliked Evera entirely, but he wasn’t foolish enough to claim others wouldn’t be taken by her beauty. She had an air about her that warranted admiration until she opened her mouth.
“I was on the rooftop just there.” Evera pointed across the street. “It isn’t my fault if you didn’t see me. Care to introduce us, Nicholas, seeing as I sense you’ve involved me in something without my permission?”
“Charmaine, this is Evera Bloodbane. Evera, this is Charmaine Tuckerton. We served together against Fearworn and she is a dear friend of William,” he explained with a beatific smile. “You will investigate the outer banks with Charmaine today. We believe a shadowed disciple is kidnapping humans.”
“So that’s what you’ve been snooping around for.” Evera crossed her arms and pointed her nose skyward. “Why should I help?”
“You’re meant to keep me out of trouble, so why not get a little enjoyment out of it?”
Evera jabbed a nail into his chest. “This isn’t enjoyment. You’re using me.”
“Isn’t it better than stalking me all day?”
Her pursed lips said she agreed but refused to say so. William exited the warehouse. His attention strayed to Evera, who perked at the sight of him.
“This must be William,” she said smugly. “What a pleasure to finally have a face to the name.”
“Yes, I heard about you, too.” William kept a distance from her. “Did Nicholas speak to you already?”
“Yes, it seems this lovely mortal and I will be searching for a shadowed disciple.” Evera smirked at having made Charmaine stiffen.
Nicholas bit back a laugh, if only not to earn a lecture from William.
Then Evera took Charmaine by the arm and wiggled her fingers.
“Have fun with your shade today. Try to keep his leash tight. He’s known for wandering off. ”