Chapter Twenty-Two
Jaq
Jaq hummed quietly as he let himself into the lovely rooms Patin had given him. He’d been a bit surprised by Serron’s offer for him to accompany him to their suite, but he was also quietly happy about the arrangement. He giggled as he thought about Serron’s embarrassment when he made the offer.
“I realize that technically this is our wedding night, but I’m not asking you for intimate practices you won’t be ready for yet. I just thought it might be nice for you to be around us when we’re in private and not sharing a meal – a way of getting to know Patin and me better.”
Intimate practices. It could be educational to see those two engaging in intimate practices – then maybe I’d get a clue what that would involve.
Not that Jaq expected that he would get to see it, at least not right away. Serron visibly relaxed the moment he escorted Jaq into their room and closed the door. When he suggested they got comfortable, Jaq was happy to do so.
It would seem Monce society families are much like those in Elembaum, Jaq mused as he went through to his small bathroom and took care of a few necessary details there. He eyed himself in the mirror and flicked his comb through his hair. It’s not like Patin and Serron haven’t already seen me windswept and looking untidy. He grimaced in the mirror and then went back through to his bedchamber.
It didn’t take long for Jaq to get changed, but as he did, he thought about the myriad of colors he’d seen among their guests that evening. Jaq had been seeing colors for as long as he could remember – he thought everyone could until his mother asked him what he meant when he mentioned the gardener looked sick. That was back when he was a child, and his dear mother had spent the next twenty years constantly reminding Jaq to keep those thoughts to himself.
You tried, Mother, but now I don’t have to have to watch what I say around my spouses. They might not understand either, but they believe me when I say something you thought was weird. Jaq did a little wiggle as he pulled on a fresh pair of sleep pants. He had a good feeling about the marriage, and while he knew technically, he’d been the crown prince consort since he and Serron signed the papers back in Elembaum, the vow exchange they’d been through, and the reception afterward did make it all feel so much more solid.
Buttoning up his sleep jacket, Jaq looked in his closet for his lounging jacket. It was long – coming almost down to his ankles, but Jaq considered it was respectable enough to walk the short distance between their rooms, without upsetting any one of the staff who might see him.
Sliding that on and wrapping the tie firmly around his waist before looping the ends around each other, he went over to the armchair he’d been using and pulled out his papers from his satchel that kept them tidy. And then, on second thought, he put the papers back where he got them from and just picked up his satchel. It saves me going back and forth for more if I need to.
Taking a look at the bed, Jaq saw that Brian had already turned down his blankets for him. I don’t even know if I’m sleeping here tonight, he thought with a grin. Wouldn’t that shock the staff?
Chuckling at his absurd thoughts, Jaq let himself back out of his room, closing the door firmly behind him. He’d barely taken two steps toward Serron and Patin’s room, when a rough wool covered arm wrapped around his neck.
“Look at you, all dressed up for a night of smut.” The voice was rough and harsh, and Jaq smelled tobacco and rum on the man’s breath. “You’ll have to save your date for another time, consort. I’ve spent two days looking for this damn place and you, damn it. Now come along with me quietly, because I have a knife at your back, and I’m not afraid to use it.”
Jaq was being tugged in the opposite direction, but if the would-be abductor thought he was going to go quietly, he was sadly mistaken. Jaq had been taught to save himself from some of the best authors in history.
Pulling down on the arm around his neck was going to have to be his first option. Jaq was being towed along the hallway, and it wouldn’t be long before he was out of earshot of Serron and Patin’s room. Bemoaning the fact his feet were bare, Jaq dropped his satchel with his books and papers and pulled down on the arm. At the same time he kicked back with his heel, aiming for the man’s shin. Deciding some noise would be useful for alerting someone, he yelled, “Help. Abduction! Someone’s abducting the consort. Help!”
“You little shit.” The man was a lot stronger than Jaq would ever be and the forearm Jaq was hanging onto was back around his neck in seconds as the man also kicked at Jaq’s bare feet. He winced but was struggling to breathe as the arm tightened.
“I got told you were a pathetic innocent bookworm and easy prey,” the man grumbled as he started lumbering faster.
Jaq refused to help him. He relaxed his whole body, becoming a dead weight. It was far better for him to pass out from lack of air than be taken off for plans the abductor hadn’t bothered to share with him. Jaq had never been close to such a black soul before, and he felt like that darkness was leaching into his skin. There were even black spots in front of his eyes. That could be from a lack of air.
“Help,” he screamed with what felt like his last breath. “Someone freaking help me!”
The thud of running feet had to be the most beautiful sound Jaq had ever heard, and it was coming from all directions. There were castle guards on one side, a few nosy guests still in their party finery on the other, and most blessed of all was hearing Serron’s strident tones yelling, “I demand you release the consort at once.”
Clearly, the sudden influx of so many people was too much for the abductor. Muttering something along the lines of “I’ll be back,” Jaq was dumped on the floor as the man took off running.
“Get after him,” Patin ordered the guards, running past Jaq as he sprinted after the abductor. Serron pulled up, slightly winded, pulling Jaq to his feet.
“By the goddess, are you all right?” he asked, holding Jaq close.
Jaq collapsed against the broad chest, feeling the robe under his fingers. Looking down, he saw Serron had his boots on as well. “You stopped to get dressed?” he panted, as he looked back at Serron’s face again. “You heard me yell and you stopped to get dressed?”
Patin came back before Serron answered, only slightly winded and looking furious. But Jaq noticed he was fully dressed as well. “The guards are searching the house and grounds now, but somehow the man slipped away. Your Highness, are you unhurt?”
“You’re dressed, and you’re not even giving me a hug! This is ridiculous.” Jaq was feeling so overwhelmed he was ready to puke.
“We’re in public,” Serron murmured.
“Get your freaking priorities right. I could’ve been abducted and killed while you were worrying about looking decent!” Jaq pulled himself out of Serron’s arms, turning to face the crowd of nosy guests. “What are you all looking at? Yes, this man is my husband.” He pointed to Serron. “And this man is, too.” He pointed to Patin. “Those two have been together for years. We’re now a throuple. Get used to it and get over yourselves. That’s an order from your crown prince consort. Sheesh. It’s like no one’s heard of a threesome before.”
Tightening his belt that had come loose during the fracas, Jaq stalked off to his bedroom, stopping only long enough to pick up his discarded satchel. “I can’t believe they stopped and got dressed first,” he muttered to himself, going into his own room and slamming the door shut behind him. “This nonsense has to stop.”