7. Chapter 7 #2
Milo registered her arch look but, being a person fundamentally incapable of shutting up, proceeded to give her information she likely didn’t want to know.
“Please understand that man is delicious to sleep next to, all warm and snuggly, and honestly, if I was a woman, I’d already be pregnant because godsdamn, I cannot keep my hands off him.
Glad he feels the same way. He just told me outright I had a separate room to use if I wanted it, but he wanted me to share his room, and did I argue? Nope!”
Raina snorted a laugh, blue eyes sparkling. “I think I see why Rowan likes you.”
“I’m cheap entertainment, I know.”
“That’s probably part of it,” she agreed amenably. “Fortunately, his room is large and can accommodate the both of you.”
“Perfection.”
“I’ll also show you to the kitchens.”
“Is it because I ate everything at lunch?”
“That could be why,” she said, laughing at him. “Although I’m still trying to figure out where you put it. Anyway, this way.”
Milo followed her down the rest of the stairs and into a hallway he didn’t know, moving farther inside the stone building.
He paid strict attention because he wanted to learn the layout of this place.
The fortress was massive, but it was laid out in an organized way, so he didn’t think this would give him too much trouble.
Servants had brought all of Milo’s things to Rowan’s room. Raina deposited him there and moved on, as she had duties and couldn’t just dance attendance on him. Milo was fine with that. He would like a chance to unwind after several days on the road.
The room was lovely. A giant four-poster bed with thick curtains took up residence on one side of the room. The bay window there had a built-in reading bench, with bookshelves underneath crammed full; a silent testament that Rowan really did like to read.
The left side of the room held two more bookcases, also crammed full, an armoire, and a chest of drawers.
The furniture was old, he could tell at a glance, and blackened with age.
Arranged in front of the bookcases was a long couch, overstuffed and quite comfortable looking, that faced a small fireplace.
No doubt meant for leisurely reading on those cold winter nights.
Every surface had deep, bold colors and soft fabrics. It fit with the man he was coming to know. Rowan was a very sensual man, even if it wasn’t readily apparent.
Milo wanted to unpack but wasn’t sure what Rowan was all right with him moving. He didn’t want to make assumptions and upset Rowan. Then he spied a piece of paper standing upright, held so by a partially open drawer, and it had his name in large letters at the top. Oh, what was this?
A love letter?!
Eh, probably not, but Milo could hope, couldn’t he? He fetched the paper out to read it.
Milo,
This chest of drawers is for your use. The trunk under the window is also for you. I had them bring it in. I’ve commissioned another bookcase be made, but that’ll take a week. Just leave your books in the trunk for now.
I’ll see you at dinner.
Rowan
The note was short and to the point, as expected of his lover. Rowan talked; he just didn’t like to chatter. Still, his thoughtfulness made Milo swoon. Rowan really did want him in this room and was making sure he felt comfortable here.
When Rowan had first brought up having his own room, Milo had skipped right over the first two levels and hit stage-three panic.
Honestly, the whole room thing hadn’t even crossed his mind, although it should have.
Of course they would have prepared a specific room for the visiting mage.
It wasn’t like they’d expected him to hook up with Rowan!
So yeah, pure panic had hit when Rowan had broached the subject, and then just as quickly, panic had been defeated by relief.
Also joy. Rowan might be hard to read—those facial expressions didn’t do much talking—but he was amazing at direct communication.
Milo blessed him for it. It took a lot of panic out of the equation.
Not to mention made him want to shag Rowan’s brains out for being such a wonderful boyfriend.
Milo had never had a man try to keep him close like this before.
Much as he would love to believe it was because Rowan liked him that much, Milo was also aware he was a lot to live with.
Some part of him feared Rowan would burn out fast, having them live together while also working together all day.
Milo really, truly did not want that to happen, but he didn’t know how to prevent the inevitable.
Right now, all he could do was hope for the best and squash the internal whisper telling him their relationship was doomed to fail. Live in the moment! It was Milo’s creed.
Well! He was going to put Rowan’s good intentions immediately to use.
Milo whipped open his trunk and started unpacking, organizing things in the drawers as he went.
He levitated his trunk of books out of the way and against the wall so no one would trip over it.
Especially at night. Milo had dislocated a pinky toe once on a trunk. Never again.
He threw dirty laundry into the hamper near the bathing room.
The bathing room was actually much nicer than he’d expected for a place built with defense in mind and not creature comforts.
Afterward, he stood in the middle of the bedroom, hands on hips, feeling quite satisfied. That hadn’t been much work at all.
Speaking of, he should probably get to work, but he wanted to call Ray first and check in. Now that he finally had time, energy, and some privacy.
He pulled out a mirror, propping it up on the window bench, and tried calling. Ray was normally back at home by this time of day.
Sure enough, his friend answered, dark brows beetled in worry. From the black vest he wore, he must have just gotten in from work. “All right, asshole?”
“Yeah, you bitch. I’m great! Just calling to tell you I’ve arrived safely, I have a new smoking hot boyfriend, and the ward up here sucks.
I will be reporting back to the Council that the last five mages they sent up here did a shitty job and should be fined.
Personally, though, I think they should look into everyone who’s been here the last seven years. ”
“Wait, wait, wait! Back up! Boyfriend?” Ray said the word “boyfriend” with a cautious air, his tenor voice wavering uncertainly as if he wasn’t sure if Milo was jerking his chain.
“Right! That’s the most important part.” Said him. “Captain Rowan Rangecroft, head of the guard, and youngest son of the ruling family here in Gravegarde. I met him because he was my guide to bring me up here.”
Ray pushed gray-speckled dark hair away from his face, out of his eyes, as if trying to see Milo better. There was all the doubt over there from Ray. One brow up, head tilted to the side, clearly wondering if Milo had been day drinking. “Are you serious right now?”